The SF Ed Fund Celebrates Weekly Volunteers from 2024-25 School Year at Annual Volunteer Recognition Event

The SF Ed Fund celebrated our fantastic weekly ongoing volunteers last week at our annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. Over 120 guests joined us for an evening of celebration with heartfelt tributes to the power of volunteering. We certainly had a lot to celebrate and be thankful for: Throughout the 2024-25 school year, 339 dedicated community members generously gave their time supporting students and teachers in 421 classrooms, totaling over 41,000 hours thus far. Together, they've made a profound impact, supporting 3,727 students across 81 SFUSD schools.

These numbers only scratch the surface of the impact volunteers have. In our most recent educator survey:

• 98% of educators agreed or strongly agreed that their volunteer helped them feel more supported as an educator
• More than half said their volunteer saved them 3 or more hours a week
• 98% said their volunteer provided more and/or targeted support to students
• 97% agreed that their volunteer helped create the best environment for their students to thrive socially and emotionally
• 98% said their volunteer was sensitive and responsive to students' identities, interests, and needs
• 95% agreed that students showed an increase in academic skills thanks to volunteer support

As one teacher shared, “Volunteers help us reach our goals of providing more individualized support to our students. With their help, I can meet more students' needs.” Another remarked, “[My volunteer] brought four students up to grade level in reading. It was amazing.”

Each year, the SF Ed Fund recognizes a handful of volunteers who have gone above and beyond their role in the classroom. This year, we honored:

• Special Service Award: Judy Judkins & LaVerne Young – for their long-standing support of newcomer students at Edwin and Anita Newcomer School, showing that belonging and care can transcend language.
• Special Service Award: John Monson – for his dedicated service at Paul Revere K-8, including stepping in to teach as a substitute for several months while the educator he supports was on parental leave.
• Outstanding First-Year Volunteer Awards: Nancy Ely and Nevaeh Jackson – for their inspiring impact in their very first year, supporting students at SF Public Montessori and Rosa Parks Elementary, respectively.
• Distinguished Service Award – Mentoring: Alyse Danis – for three years of mentoring at The Academy High School, totaling over 350 hours.
• Distinguished Service Award – General: Teresa Roberts – for 25 years of consistent, creative, and passionate volunteer service at a single school, leading story time, sharing books, and bringing joy to generations of students.

In addition to recognizing volunteers, this year’s event included a special surprise honoring two individuals whose leadership and vision have helped shape the SF Ed Fund’s volunteer programs and broader impact. Tom Laursen, who has managed the SF Ed Fund’s volunteer programs since 2013, was celebrated for more than a decade of leadership. As Celina Baldizon, the SF Ed Fund’s Associate Manger of Volunteers, said, “Our volunteer programs would not be as successful, our community connections not as strong, and our team would not be the same without him. He's helped shape a culture of care and service that defines our volunteer programs and embodies our organization’s mission.”

We also honored Andrew Jordan Nance, a longtime partner whose passion for mindfulness has blossomed into a thriving program. Back in 2014, Andrew Jordan Nance approached our organization with a powerful idea: to bring mindfulness into elementary school classrooms. He came to us not only with passion but with a complete curriculum – an instructor’s guide and picture books he had authored. With support from Tom and other staff, Andrew’s vision has since blossomed into a thriving program that has reached over 2,000 students across more than 40 SFUSD elementary schools.   

Andrew was our very first mindfulness volunteer, and since then, he’s led countless trainings and even brought mindfulness to every single classroom at Bret Harte Elementary. His dedication over the past decade has helped shape a program that’s making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and teachers.  

A huge thank you to our in-kind donors, whose generosity helped make the evening even more special:

• Southern Pacific Brewing Company
• Novy restaurant
• The Oakland Zoo
• Studio Soothe
• Invisible Jet Comic Book Store 

And to our wonderful vendors, who helped bring the event to life:

• Southeast Community Center
• Fleurish with Flowers
• Rexie Events
• Toast Catering and Events Management
• Children’s Book Project

We are endlessly grateful to these volunteers and to every single person who showed up this year with compassion and commitment to SFUSD students, teachers, and classrooms. Thank you!