When you think about high school electives, you probably imagine art, weights, or woodshop. But for students in Teach253, class looks a little different. Instead of staying on campus, they head out into our community—like their recent trip to Manitou Park Elementary, where they spent the morning helping young students learn their shapes, write their names, and glue pieces for classroom projects.

Watching the Teach253 students in action felt like seeing Mount Tahoma’s community values come alive. The little kids looked up (literally and figuratively) to the high school students working beside them. Many of the elementary students needed one-on-one help, and the volunteers stepped right in with patience, kindness, and real compassion.

“Seeing older students take interest in their learning motivates young children,” one of the teachers explained. And it was true. When a Teach253 volunteer leaned down to help a kid trace a letter or talk through directions, you could see the student light up. That’s belonging. That’s empathy. And honestly, it’s a good reminder that leadership doesn’t always mean being loud; sometimes it’s just showing up for someone who needs you.

Teachers at the elementary school shared that having volunteers makes a huge difference. With extra hands in the room, more students get the attention and encouragement that teachers don’t always have time for in a busy class. Because of the volunteers, many of the kids finished their assignments early and with smiles on their faces.

Teach253 isn’t just about helping younger students, though. For the high schoolers in the program, it’s a chance to explore future careers, learn how to communicate better, and practice patience, creativity, and responsibility. It reflects the values we talk about at Mount Tahoma: collaboration, equity, integrity, and hope for the future of our community.

Programs like Teach253 remind us that learning doesn’t only happen in textbooks. It happens in real places, with real people, making real impact. And as T-Birds, we’re at our best when we lift each other up—especially the young students who will one day walk these same halls.

So shoutout to the Teach253 volunteers and every T-Bird out there making our community stronger. Your work matters more than you know!

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