Celebrating a Year of Mentorship: The Inspiring Journey of Elizabeth and Clara

The BranchOut! Howard County Chapter began its partnership with the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) amid the pandemic in 2020. When the world could not connect in person, BranchOut! high school volunteers reached out to bridge the educational gap by tutoring students with autism online.

Five years later, the Howard County Autism Society continues its mission, but looks slightly different now. Mentors utilize hybrid tutoring options, blending in-person and traditional virtual tutoring. In the past years, BranchOut! has successfully established mentor/mentee partnerships, supporting students in grades K-8.

Recently, two BranchOut! mentors, Elizabeth Liu and Clara Luo, passed their first anniversary of tutoring two sisters, Joy (grade 4) and Stella (grade 1), through the Howard County Autism Society. Elizabeth and Clara, current sophomores, have been with BranchOut! since 2023, serving as student mentors and leaders. Beginning in March 2024, they have met with the sisters regularly, using a hybrid system of Zoom calls and in-person meetings at Howard County Public libraries. 

“Clara and Elizabeth have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. They've sparked a real passion for learning in Joy and Stella,” shared the sisters’ parents. “The mentors understand their strengths and challenges and tailor their approach accordingly. This personalized attention has boosted their confidence and made learning more engaging and meaningful.” 

Upon starting, Elizabeth quickly realized that keeping her first-grade tutee engaged was no easy feat. While her mentee was eager to learn, distractions were everywhere: wiggling in her seat, doodling, or losing focus mid-sentence. Determined to keep her mentee engaged, Elizabeth reimagined her lessons into interactive experiences with colorful slide shows, flashcard matching activities, and worksheets to build phonetic skills. She even introduced timed competitions and point-based systems, turning learning into friendly challenges.

Hard work paid off: after reading over 20 books together, Elizabeth witnessed a noticeable improvement in her mentee’s reading ability, with her comprehension and confidence gradually building.

“Elizabeth is so kind and patient. I like reading with her. When I am sad, Elizabeth reads a book to me, and that book cheers me up.”  ~ Stella

For Elizabeth, the experience transformed her view of teaching, recognizing that effective instruction isn’t just about delivering information but rather meeting her student where she was and guiding them forward, one lesson at a time.

Likewise, Clara reflects on her tutoring experience as fruitful. Clara’s lessons to strengthen Joy’s literacy skills led to Clara’s realization of Joy’s enamored enthusiasm for music, space, and history. To Clara, it felt as if Joy knew more about planets than anyone else!

Clara starts each session with a book of Joy’s choice. Soon, these interests were used as rewards to the not-so-liked subjects, promoting Joy’s passions to be valued and coexistent with her academic goals. "I love how Clara always has fun reading stories and asking interesting questions that make me think differently," Joy shares. “She makes learning fun, and I always look forward to our meetings.”

A few months into tutoring, Joy developed an interest in the violin, so Clara, an experienced violinist, incorporated violin lessons alongside their tutoring sessions. Since then, Joy has perfected Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, performed in her school orchestra, and performed duets.

For Clara, watching Joy grow–whether crafting journal entries or memorizing capitals–has been incredibly rewarding. Joy and Clara’s connection has strengthened over time; for Clara, their bond will forever impact her perspective as a learner and mentor. 

The sisters’ growth did not go unnoticed. Their parents express, “Academically, their reading and comprehension skills have improved dramatically. They're more independent learners now, and they approach challenges with greater confidence. Personally, they've become more articulate and self-assured. The program [HCAS] has helped them discover their potential and given them the tools to pursue their passions.”

“HCAS is a unique opportunity for students to receive personalized mentorship…The program fosters intellectual growth, builds confidence, and cultivates a love for learning. It’s an investment in their future, and we’ve seen firsthand the positive impact it’s had on Joy and Stella.” ~ Joy and Stella’s parents

The Howard County Autism Society has been fruitful for both HCAS students and BranchOut! members alike. Through this program, BranchOut! mentors have gained meaningful leadership experience, built lasting connections, and formed interpersonal skills that shape not only professional careers but also the ways they understand and support others in everyday life. 

Are you ready to change a life for the better? Join us today and become a proud BranchOut! mentor! By signing up, you have the incredible opportunity to inspire and empower someone in need. Don’t wait—make a lasting impact now! www.velbranchout.org

“The HCAS program and volunteering with the BranchOut! Howard County team has been life-changing in providing countless opportunities and experiences, such as HCAS tutoring. What we have learned has shaped valuable narratives, and we hope all aspiring or current mentors will take this as a sign to find and write their own story today.” ~ Elizabeth and Clara

Note: The names of the tutees have been changed to protect their privacy and identities.