What We Do
Former Tutors: Where Are They Now?
In the eleven years since its founding, Heads Up has offered thousands of college students the opportunity to learn, lead and serve their communities. Keep reading to find out what former tutors are doing now, what they learned from their Heads Up experience, and their advice for current tutors.
Did you serve as a Heads Up tutor? We want to know what you’re up to! Fill out the former tutor update form and email it to sbrandspigel@headsup-dc.org.
 Michael Gale
Heads Up tutor: 2003 to 2004
Current occupation: Graduate student in Latin American Studies at the University of Texas in Austin, and program coordinator for Foundation Communities (a non-profit organization that provides free tax preparation for low-income families)
What he remembers about the Heads Up experience: "My amazing 4th graders at Birney Elementary!"
What he gained from the Heads Up experience: "A commitment to social change from the ground up."
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 Heather Howard
Heads Up tutor: 2003 to 2005
Current occupation: Commercial property manager What she remembers about the Heads Up experience: "Being out and about in D.C. and having my kids recognize me. And the expression on one boy's face when he realized he could do the work. He completed his homework for the first time by himself and was elated."
What she gained from the Heads Up experience: "Patience. Time management. Responsibility. The kids rely on you and you have to follow through and be there for them. Some of them have had too many people pretend to care and not follow through."
Advice for new Heads Up tutors: "Be open and caring. Respect them and they will respect you. Remember, they may think they are grown, but they are still kids and they need you." |
 Christetta K. Stone
Heads Up tutor: 2003 to 2005
Current occupation: Heads Up site director, LaSalle Elementary
What she remembers about the Heads Up experience: "The children that changed my life."
What she gained from the Heads Up experience: "Growth. Serving with Heads Up allowed me to grow personally and professionally. I acquired invaluable skills that have contributed to my success."
Advice for new Heads Up tutors: "Commit to the experience of service. Be open. Teach the students and learn from them." |
Mary Beth Salomone
Heads Up tutor: 1996 to 1998
Current occupation: senior policy manager, National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
Current volunteer service: Community service through Greater DC Cares
What she remembers about the Heads Up experience: “I remember the parents and their openness to us. I remember getting attached to some of the kids. I remember thinking wow this is really really hard..."
What she gained from the Heads Up experience: "I figured out exactly what I wanted to do in my career. The truth is that this gave me my start in everything. This gave me a place to start, to put things together, and to figure out what my role was in trying to make things better." |
 Keren Odeah Johnson
Heads Up tutor: 2002 to 2006
Current occupation: Staff assistant and tour coordinator, office of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Current volunteer service: Community service through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Joy of Motion Dance Company
What she gained from the Heads Up experience: "I learned how to challenge myself. Heads Up changed my life and I will never forget the experiences that I had while serving as a tutor."
Advice for new Heads Up tutors: "Be patient and always give it your all. The children are going to test your patience and say that they don’t want to learn. But the truth is that they want you there. They want your attention, they crave your time and they need your help." |
 Vickie C. Jones
Heads Up tutor: 1999 to 2000
Current occupation: Infectious diseases research associate and community college instructor in Galveston, Texas
Current volunteer service: Mentoring and teaching with her church and volunteering with local campaigns
Advice for new Heads Up tutors: “Enjoy the experience, and take the opportunity to learn about the neighborhood you work in. This could be the difference in leaving a lasting impression in the lives of the children you interact with.” |
 Erin McKinney-Prupis
Heads Up tutor: 2002 to 2003
What she remembers about the Heads Up experience: “I had a class of only 6 kids and I really got close with them. I always see their faces in other people.”
Current occupation: Addiction counselor, substance abuse prevention educator, youth group advisor and religious school teacher in Northern New Jersey.
Advice for new Heads Up tutors: “As a Heads Up tutor you will learn many things about yourself such as: Do I like working with kids? Is working in an underprivileged community for me? Do I like being an educator? Can I make creative and fun lesson plans? No matter what you do these things will help you. Pay attention to what you learn later in life and apply it!” |
