Patrick Guerra

Patrick Guerra, a Stratford High School student volunteer, is a young person who truly inspires minds and shapes lives by giving of his time and support each week to the special needs students at Wilchester Elementary!  He also volunteers at Rummel Creek Elementary each week as part of the Stratford High School Student Mentor Program sponsored by Ms. Karen Summers.

Patrick is a true gift to the Wilchester Elementary Community.  He specifically requested to work with special needs children, taking special interest in each student.  Wilchester Counselor Michelle Perkins reports that “each and every time I see students from Mrs. Patterson’s class, they ask if Patrick will be in their class that day! 

He works with each of the students individually during math time and absolutely delights in their accomplishments.  His enthusiasm is simply contagious—after an addition lesson in math one day, he came to the office to tell me about how well a student had done and how much progress she had made from the week before! 

The smile on his face was so genuine, so proud, so caring.  I wish that I could put in words how happy and how proud he was.  At that moment, I realized not only was he inspiring and shaping the lives of each of Mrs. Patterson’s students, but also of Mrs. Patterson, and of all of us who came into contact with him," Michelle Perkins said.

Patrick consistently gives of his time at the end of his volunteer day at Wilchester to share a special story about “his kiddos” with the staff.  He really cares about and values each and every child in his classroom, and truly delights in their successes. 

Patrick also has volunteered during the summer at two different camps for children with special needs.  He cares for a young person with cerebral palsy six hours each week after school.

Patrick is simply an incredible young man, an incredible volunteer—he gives his time and his patience so graciously, and his enthusiasm and passion for helping those with special needs is awesome.  Each and every week Patrick chooses to serve our students, and he does so with such grace and kindness.

For all the gifts of time, compassion, patience and love that Patrick shares with special SBISD elementary school students, we are pleased to honor him as the SBISD December Volunteer of the Month.