Volunteer Spotlight: Nandini Ravindran
At the San Francisco Education Fund, we are fortunate to work with an incredible community of weekly volunteers who show up in classrooms across the city to support students and educators. Through this Volunteer Spotlight series, we’re excited to highlight the people behind that commitment and share the stories that inspire their service. This month, we’re featuring Nandini Ravindran, a scientist in the South San Francisco biotech community who immigrated from India about 15 years ago to pursue graduate studies in cell and molecular biology. During a recent sabbatical, Nandini sought out meaningful ways to give back and found that volunteering with SF Ed Fund offered a powerful way to support students’ well-being while connecting with the school community.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I was born and raised in India (Bangalore/Mysore) and immigrated to the United States about 15 years ago to pursue graduate studies in cell and molecular biology. Since then, I’ve built a career as a scientist in cancer drug discovery working in the South San Francisco biotech community. I’ve always felt a strong desire to give back through education, wellness and science communication initiatives. During a recent sabbatical, I decided to explore this interest more intentionally and came across volunteer opportunities with the San Francisco Education Fund. All the volunteering opportunities resonated with me as it felt like a meaningful way to support students’ emotional well-being and contribute to creating a more supportive learning environment.
How do you volunteer through the SF Ed Fund?
I began volunteering with the SF Ed Fund as a mindfulness instructor and currently support first and second grade classrooms at the lovely and inclusive Junipero Serra Elementary School. During our sessions, students practice mindfulness through breathing and quiet focus. It has been rewarding to see their comfort with these practices grow over time. I also facilitate social emotional learning through games and community circles where students share stories and affirmations to build teamwork and growth mindset. In addition, I serve as a mentor and occasionally support small groups of students who benefit from more individualized attention. I’ve also participated in one-day volunteer opportunities, including career day and classroom read-alouds celebrating cultural traditions like Ramadan and Lunar New Year at the vibrant Tenderloin Community School. These experiences have allowed me to connect with and learn from a wider school community.
What feedback or moments from the students you've supported have been most meaningful to you?
Simply being in the presence of the students twice a week has been deeply joyful and grounding for me. One of the most meaningful things I’ve witnessed is the gradual growth in their comfort with focus time. Students who were initially shy or hesitant are now able to sit quietly and focus on their breath for several minutes. I also treasure the small moments of connection, like when a student shares a thoughtful question, waves hello, or offers a spontaneous hug. These moments remind me that trust and connection are slowly growing week by week. I’ve also learned a lot from the students themselves; by making stories and discussions more visual and interactive, I’ve seen them engage with values like curiosity, compassion, and courage.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through volunteering?
While I initially resonated with the mindfulness aspect of the program, I also felt a little nervous about leading a classroom since I had never done that before. Volunteering at the warm and welcoming JSerra helped me discover unexpected aspects of myself. I feel very comfortable around children, and being in their presence brings me a sense of joy, grounding and playfulness. Through this experience, I’ve also realized the immense value of being part of a community in this way. Designing mindfulness and social-emotional learning lessons and witnessing small shifts in students over time has been incredibly rewarding. In many ways, this has been one of the most impactful and fulfilling experiences I’ve had in a long time.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a volunteer, especially in situations where consistent support matters so much?
My advice would be to thoughtfully consider the commitment before signing up. Roles like being a mindfulness instructor, mentor or tutor often involve building ongoing relationships with students, and over time they may come to rely on you for stability, encouragement and connection. Showing up consistently, with patience and empathy, can make a meaningful difference. Every child is navigating their own experience and not every day will look the same. I would also encourage volunteers to think of the experience not simply as time spent in a classroom, but as an opportunity to become part of a larger community. Small yet sustained connections with students, teachers, and staff can be deeply rewarding. If you are fortunate to experience this, then volunteering becomes more than an act of service as it can be a transformative experience for the volunteer themselves.
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We are not accepting any more volunteers for the 2025-26 school year, but we'd love to hear from you if you're interested in volunteering in the 2026-27 school year! Please fill out the off-season volunteer form and you'll receive the 26-27 volunteer application this summer. Trainings to become a volunteer will kick off in August.
