2026 Volunteer Appreciation Month Spotlight Series

April 30, 2026

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and Heart Math Tutoring is grateful to all our volunteer tutors who make Heart’s mission possible. To Heart tutors who give their time each week and provide encouragement to our students, thank you. Your dedication helps students strengthen important math skills and build the confidence in their abilities needed for long-term academic success.

This month, we’ve shined the spotlight on a few of Heart’s incredible 1,300+ volunteers currently serving students across the Carolinas. Read below to learn more about our highlighted tutors and watch a special thank you video from Heart students here!

Brian Madurzak, Winston-Salem

Brian Madurzak is a third-year tutor, having volunteered with Heart since the beginning of our partnership with WS/FCS. He currently provides one-on-one tutoring to four students! In addition, he gives time at the beginning and end of the year to support with student assessments. His Heart Program Coordinator, Gabbi, says, “Brian is very familiar with the Heart curriculum and his students have progressed well all year long…we appreciate all that he does to support the program in Winston-Salem and ensure his students are receiving everything they can from their time with Heart Math Tutoring.”

Annette Evans, Charlotte

Annette Evans is a third-year tutor known for making her sessions with students engaging and impactful. Her Heart Program Coordinator, Cece, shares, “In addition to her strong instructional skills, Annette is a natural mentor to newer tutors, offering guidance and encouragement whenever needed. She brings a contagious positive attitude to every session, creating an uplifting environment for both students and fellow tutors. Annette truly embodies what it means to be a highly effective and committed tutor.”

Eli Pilcher, Charleston

Eli Pilcher, a first-year tutor, describes tutoring his two students as the highlight of his week and says his favorite part is “how rewarding it is to see them learning and growing right in front of my eyes by working through the curriculum each week. They are superstars.” Eli’s Heart Program Coordinator, Julianna, shares that Eli’s presence and consistency have had a positive impact on his students and his kindergarten student graduated from Heart’s program. She says, “Eli has established meaningful connections with his students and both are excelling in the curriculum. His contributions to the program are so appreciated!”

Sevone Rhynes, Charlotte

Sevone Rhynes, a second-year tutor, found Heart through our partners at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, and his commitment to student success goes beyond our program, he also volunteers as a tutor with Augustine Literacy Project.

Sevone is a strong mentor for his students and encourages them to believe in themselves. His Heart Program Coordinator, Gabby, shares, “Sevone consistently shows up for his students each week, and he is intentional about speaking positive affirmations to them about their great potential to do wonderful things in life.”

Diana Mager, Winston-Salem

After initially hearing about Heart through two friends who tutor, Diana Mager is wrapping up her first year as a Heart volunteer this week. Her Heart Program Coordinator, Robyn, says Diana has jumped in “head-first” this year to support Winston-Salem students, working consistently with five individual students each week! Robyn also shares that “Diana connects so well with students of all ages and is currently working with someone in every grade, K-3! She truly knows her kids not only as students, but as individuals…She is excited to become a volunteer assessor and help impact even more kids through the end of this year. We are lucky to have her!”

Diana has enjoyed seeing her students grow in math and confidence this school year, she says, “I feel very grateful to be involved with Heart Math Tutoring. Working one-on-one with students within such a supportive program has been a powerful experience. It is a beautiful thing to see them build both their skills and their confidence. Sometimes students are a bit downhearted when we meet, but offering them a space to be heard and encouraged is often enough to shift their mindset so that learning can happen. I hope that each child returns to class feeling more confident—not just in math, but in themselves.”

Debbie Nelson, Charleston

Second-year tutor Debbie Nelson is known for being a strong advocate for Heart and for students. In addition to volunteering with Heart, she also volunteers with the school’s library; her Heart Program Coordinator, Morgan, says, “Debbie’s love and compassion for the school shines in her volunteer work throughout the school and through the great rapport she’s built with her students.”

Debbie most enjoys getting to know her students, she says, “It is a special school with a great community of students. Through Heart I have seen so many children advance their skills and their enthusiasm about math, but truly the best part of the program is developing a relationship with my mentees!”

Denise Sussman, Charlotte

Denise Sussman is a fifth-year tutor with Heart and is providing one-on-one instruction and mentorship to six individual students this school year! Her Heart Program Coordinator, Susan, says Denise is “so encouraging and engaged with her students. She is reliable and willing to help all the time.”

Denise shares that she is greatly impacted by her tutoring experience and seeing the growth of her students: “It’s so energizing and fulfilling to work with HMT students. You never know when they’re going to have an “ah-ha” moment and the smile that comes across their faces at those times is unforgettable. I often wonder what the students will grow up to become, but I do know that the HMT program is giving them a big boost to achieve whatever goals they may have in the future. When students wave to me in the hallways or light up when I come to pick them up from their classrooms, it makes me smile and realize not only how much the students are receiving, but how they enrich my life as well.”

Thank you to our Spotlight Series volunteers and to all Heart tutors for giving your time and energy to support elementary students this school year!