Teaching It Forward

Jesus and Karellys, former students and now tutors

CYD is proud to announce that two recent alumni of Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School have joined our staff. Karellys Junco (L), who graduated in 2020, and Jesus Bueno Martinez (R), who graduated in January 2022, are our newest tutors, helping MCNDHS students with English and math. The fact that both are bilingual in Spanish is key. Jesus said, “I’ve gone into some classrooms this year where students don’t speak any English.”

Both first came to CYD as students. Karellys was guided through her college application process by CYD, and they encouraged her to apply to a weekend enrichment program at Cooper Union. Jesus began his Manhattan Comprehensive education as a remote student during the shutdown, and CYD’s advisors were instrumental in helping him connect with school and internship opportunities via Zoom. He learned skills for applying to jobs in our Learn and Earn program. “I taught my mother all the things I learned – how to do a resume, write a job letter, go on an interview – and she got a job!”

Both tutors are attending CUNY while working part-time at CYD. Karellys is majoring in biology at Queens College and Jesus is studying international business and accounting at Baruch College. They transitioned seamlessly into tutoring, delighted to reconnect with their former advisors as colleagues. “I really enjoy teaching,” Karellys said. And as much as the students appreciate having them as tutors, the tutors appreciate the opportunity to give back. As Jesus sees it, “The same way I had someone from CYD to help me, I’m here to help you.”

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