Dedicated volunteer makes an impact and creates a new community for herself in the Permian Basin
Irish, a Chicago native, jokingly says she landed in Midland because “I followed a man who followed the oil.” Though she initially didn’t know anyone, her volunteer spirit quickly guided her to search for ways to give back to her new community. “Ever since 7th grade, my classmates and I were encouraged to volunteer,” she recalls. By high school, it was required, and by college, volunteering had become second nature. “I began branching out—volunteering at school functions, soup kitchens, and later for dental missions overseas.” After completing 14 dental missions as a clinician in the Philippines, she moved back to the U.S. and sought out new ways to contribute. Her search brought her to the Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center (PBALC), where she now tutors an adult English learner, Bertha, one-on-one.
Irish’s role at PBALC has become more than just volunteering; it resonates deeply with her family’s own journey as immigrants. “My mom is a trilingual nurse and my dad learned architecture in one language and then surgical technology in another,” she shares, reflecting on the resilience it took for them to succeed. Growing up, she was often her parents’ translator, witnessing firsthand the language barriers that so many immigrants face.
“The same way that you want to give youth a chance at bettering themselves through education, you should also want to give your fellow adults a chance.”
Her student, Bertha, shares a story that feels especially close to Irish’s heart. A mother of three, Bertha dreams of returning to the workforce now that her children are older. “She reminds me so much of my parents,” Irish reflects. “She wants to improve herself for her family. She wants to be a role model for her kids, and it’s inspiring to see how seriously she takes it.” Despite facing challenges like her car’s unreliable air conditioning in the Texas heat, Bertha shows up to every class. “If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is in Texas!” says Irish, moved by Bertha’s commitment.
For Irish, tutoring is a partnership, one that has encouraged her own personal growth. “This is my first structured teaching role, and it’s made me think about my own accountability. Am I showing up every week with my best effort? Am I patient enough? It’s a mutual commitment.” Each session, Irish tailors lessons to Bertha’s progress, celebrating every improvement. “Every time she answers correctly or formulates a sentence on her own, it brings me so much joy.”
The progress Bertha has made has been incredibly rewarding for both student and teacher. Recently, Bertha confidently navigated a customer service call in English—a milestone in her journey. When she heard that Bertha’s husband told her she spoke English well, Irish felt an overwhelming sense of pride. “To hear that her husband listened intently to and complimented her improvement in English means these lessons are making a big impact in her everyday life.” she says.
“At the end of the session, I feel satisfaction because I see she really tries and accomplishes lessons faster every week."
Irish’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her approach. Wanting to be fully prepared for each session, she is thorough in her lesson planning and brushes up on her basic grammar and composition to ensure she can answer any question. “Just because I’m a teacher doesn’t mean I know everything. I’m a student at the Adult Literacy Center, too, and I want to give Bertha my best.”
Each class, each moment of progress, has deep meaning for Irish and Bertha alike. “At the end of the session, I feel satisfaction because I see she really tries and accomplishes lessons faster every week,” says Irish. “I give open-topic speaking opportunities every class and encourage Bertha to use the new vocabulary from the lesson. This is where I truly see her shine.”
When asked why it’s important for the community to support PBALC, Irish’s response is clear: “The same way that you want to give youth a chance at bettering themselves through education, you should also want to give your fellow adults a chance.” She knows that with Bertha’s commitment and the skills she’s building, Bertha will become an incredible asset in the workforce, strengthened by her own determination and the support of her community.