A teacher? Officially, no. Unofficially, for sure.

Ethan Xiong, 18, is officially a Tutor-Mentor, but to the kindergartners he helped - and to Gina Aiello, the teacher he assisted - he’s a “great teacher.”

Xiong, who viewed himself as “just another student” when he started Root 2 Rise, was surprised by how quickly he enjoyed his teaching role, and is now considering a teaching career.

Aiello, who has taught kindergarten for 22 years, said she was initially nervous about working with a Tutor-Mentor, but said it was “a happy surprise” to see how quickly young students related to him, becoming more attentive and seeking his help, especially students who had experienced difficult life situations.

“He made kids belong and created a safe, safe place for them,” she said. “Ethan is an amazing young adult. I know he will do great things. I’ve had student teachers from college before, but Ethan took things to a different level,” she said.

Would she welcome other Tutor-Mentors to her classroom?

“ Yes, yes, yes!” Aiello said.