Tutor Spotlights

Kala’s dedication to her students and commitment to LVSC goes above and beyond.  

Since 2020, Kala has tutored eight different students, helping many of our early language learners with their transition from beginner classes to tutoring. She’s supported students in reaching their life goals and given them the confidence to participate in LVSC activities.  She leads a long-standing and very popular weekly conversation group and recently took on a small group of beginner students.  In addition, Kala generously supports LVSC fundraising initiatives and has taken on the role of “staff” photographer. This is all while working a high-powered full-time job that includes lots of business travel and doing additional volunteering for other very worthy organizations.

Kala's students rave about her conversation group. Listen here.

Unfortunately, Kala was not able to receive her award in person, but sent her words of thanks to the LVSC community:

Thank you for the incredible honor of being selected as LVSC’s volunteer of the year for 2024! I am very grateful. I love Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County and I very much enjoy my work, both as an ESL tutor with my students and as a conversation group leader. I am very impressed and proud of our students, all of whom find time to learn and improve their English, in spite of having complex adult lives and adult responsibilities. I also love working with all of you who support us – Aimee, Susan, Lisa, and Stella! You are a great group of people, always helpful to us tutors and always cheerful. It is truly a pleasure to work with all of you and with LVSC, and I hope to remain a volunteer for ever and ever!

More About Kala:

LVSC Journey: I started with LVSC in March 2009, tutored students for a few years, took a break and then returned September 2020 during the pandemic. I initially thought I would share my love of reading with my students. Little did I know that I would get back a lot more than I ever gave them.

Proud LVSC Moment: My first student left me abruptly after six months, saying he now had all the confidence he needed to speak English even with strangers and didn’t need my class any longer.  It was a bittersweet moment – I was very proud of him but also sad to see him go so soon. Then it dawned on me that he was my “customer” and that his own goals were more important than MY goals for him!

Day Job: I am proud to be a nerd and I manage strategic projects at SAP, a global software company.

Hobbies: 1) I can read all day – my favorite genre is murder mysteries! 2) I am into arts and crafts and my mediocre artistic talents do not stop me from creating, and 3) I love travel.

This is a picture of me in Singapore feeding the beautiful but pushy parrots!

Favorite Quote: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi.

Favorite Food: My favorite foods are often vegetarian dishes loaded up with tons of veggies, herbs and spices.

Favorite Book: I recently finished The Ladies Paradise by Emile Zola. I loved his detailed description of the business of fabric and fashion set in mid-nineteenth century France.

R&R Spot: Liberty State Park in Jersey City has a wonderful walk with awesome views of downtown Manhattan and Ellis Island. I am addicted to this walk!