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“My students have impacted me, as much as I have impacted them because they help me to understand what students need and how I can continue to best support them.”

Hector is a second-year AmeriCorps member who served both years at Marquette School of Excellence. Hector is known at ��ɫ��Ƶ Chicago as the positive “can-do” corps member who always has a smile and greeting and is the first person to arrive at every meeting and Learning Development Day (even before the staff). At last year’s corps graduation, Hector was awarded “Outstanding AmeriCorps member” by the Society of Latino and African American Men (SLAM), which is an identity group for men of color in Chicago’s corps.

Hector’s passion for supporting his students and being a change agent in his community is present in his attitude and how he shows up to service every day.

“My students have impacted me, as much as I have impacted them because they help me to understand what students need and how I can continue to best support them. It is great to know that students are comfortable coming to me for help.”

Hector with the 2019-2020 Abbvie team serving at Marquette School of Excellence

One student in particular who Hector has been working with since the beginning of the school year has shown significant growth.

“We meet during lunch, and I help her with reading using flashcards and other resources. She has been improving so much, just by working with me during lunch little by little. Taking my lunch to work with her makes it worth it to see how much she has grown.”

When asked what is one word he would use to describe his service year, Hector said, “Inspirational. Despite all the difficulties and interruptions this year, our teachers are still fighting for our students; our communities are fighting; and so is my team. Even though we have challenges in front of us, we still show up for our students and at the end of the day; that’s what it’s all about.”