‘One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done:’ Meet El Centro Volunteer Publio

When Publio, a volunteer at Catholic Charities Boston’s El Centro Adult Education Center, hands an assignment out to his students, the first thing he asks them to do is write their name and the date, neatly, at the top of their paper.  

As a former officer in the Venezuelan Army, Publio knows firsthand that the secret to success lies in the small, seemingly insignificant habits we do every day.  

“One of the most important things I learned in the Army is discipline,” said Publio. “I tell my students, ‘If you can master this one habit, if you can master this one sentence, then you can use it for the rest of your life.”  

Now, at 69 years old, Publio is passionate about helping his students establish habits that will empower them to become self-sufficient – in the classroom and beyond.  

Publio said he first learned about El Centro through his wife, who was taking ESOL classes at the Laboure Center. 

“I went with her to class one day and told the staff, ‘If you ever need anyone to volunteer, I’d love to teach,’” he said.  

Days later, he was introduced to El Centro, where he has been volunteering as a teaching assistant four days a week ever since, helping to facilitate lessons, answer questions, and support students’ academic and personal growth.  

“We meet students with many challenges and fears,” he said. “We are not only teaching them English but teaching them to be prepared for a new life here in the US.”  

Publio first began teaching ESOL at a university in Venezuela, where he worked for years, as part of his service to the Army. Since that first day, he said teaching has been a fundamental part of his life, lending him a sense of purpose and perspective and introducing him to people from all walks of life.  

“I find that it is very important for human beings to help people who are different from us,” he said. “When we help people who come from a different background or society, there is something amazing about it.”  

For Publio, there is nothing more motivating than the pure joy of witnessing a student step out of their comfort zone, tackle a problem, and grow into a more confident version of themselves. 

“One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done is teach,” he said. 

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