Every day Anne Battle wakes up early in the morning, goes to school and prepares for her class. The difference between Battle and other teachers at the school? She works hard every day to better educate students— without any compensation.

Battle is a full-time volunteer at the school. She currently tutors during Christa Wemmer’s double-period World History classes and is an imporant part of the team that runs Homework Club during seventh period and after school. Battle has been heavily involved with the school for over 10 years, putting in thousands of hours of work.

“She puts in the most time … and she doesn’t get paid,” Wemmer said.

Battle first began volunteering at the school after she attended a workshop as a parent called “Beyond Diversity” about 12 years ago. She started helping out with English teacher Keren Robertson’s literacy class. Battle had originally planned to become a teacher after college, but as she found the disciplinary part of being a teacher difficult, volunteering became the perfect opportunity.

“[Volunteering is] everything I like about teaching without any of the bad stuff,” Battle said.

Battle works just as hard as any other teacher on campus, arriving at the school around 7:30 a.m. and leaving around 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Battle’s time and effort is appreciated by students and staff.

“Even though we were the worst kids in class she would always help us,” freshman Henry Lugo said.

Though Battle says she has volunteered at others schools throughout the years, she finds she enjoys working at LAHS the most because of the partnership she has formed with Wemmer.

“I have volunteered lots of places and why I feel so lucky and excited to come to school and work with Ms. Wemmer is that she values what I say and treats me like a partner,” Battle said.

Of all the things that Battle enjoys about volunteering at the school, she most values the special bond she has been able to form with her students. Over the years, Battle has made some very close connections and is still keeps in touch with several of her former students.

“The most rewarding part is the bond with kids,” Battle said. “I am still in contact with some of the kids that graduated.”

Battle is always busy helping her students out in anyway that she can. She runs and provides food for both sessions of Homework Club, which she takes on a trip to Tahoe each year.

“Not only does Ms. Battle help me, she’s a great friend who shares a commitment to helping students at Los Altos do better,” Wemmer said.