Learn all about  P4L

Our Mission

Passion for Learning (P4L) empowers students from underserved communities to overcome

barriers, dream boldly, and achieve their full potential. Through transformative programs, we fuel

a passion for learning, bridge opportunity gaps, and equip students to thrive as confident,

capable leaders who shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to overcome obstacles and become a leader, innovator, and change-maker.  P4L is building a world where students can redefine success, excel in education and beyond, and lead their communities toward a more equitable and prosperous tomorrow.

Our Beliefs

An icon of a book , graduation cap , light bulb and gears.

Every child has the power to become a passionate, unstoppable learner.

An icon of group of people are sitting in front of a whiteboard.

Student involvement in after-school enrichment fuels academic and social success.

An icon of a group of people are sitting inside of a heart.

Parents, families, and communities are the cornerstone of student success, and their involvement is non-negotiable.

An icon of two people are sitting at a table with a speech bubble above them.

Teachers, mentors, and role models from businesses, communities, and older students have the power to transform lives and shape futures.

An icon of two hands are holding a group of people.

Our community must be engaged and equipped to nurture every child's talents and to foster a lifelong love of learning.

An icon of a graduation cap and a ribbon with a star on it.

Empowering every student to reach their full potential is essential to building a thriving society and securing our collective future.

Core Values

An icon of a couple of people standing next to each other with an equal sign in the middle.

Equity: We are committed to fairness, ensuring every student has the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

An icon of a line drawing of a person with lightning bolts around him.

Empowerment: We unlock potential by fostering confidence and skills to overcome challenges and achieve bold dreams.

An icon of a group of people are sitting in front of a megaphone in a speech bubble.

Advocacy: We champion the rights of underserved students and families to ensure they have access to the tools, opportunities, and resources necessary to succeed.

An icon of a thumbs up with three stars and a ribbon around it.

Excellence: We uphold the highest standards in everything we do, delivering transformative programs that empower students to excel and redefine what’s possible.

Our Staff

Matthew Ratz

Executive Director

Marvely Molina Torres

Director of Programs & Outreach

Alyssa Berrios

Program & Communications Assistant

Board of Directors

President

Vikram Pant​

Portfolio Architect, CACI

Treasurer

Tom Gentile, Esq.
Attorney, Law Office of Thomas A. Gentile

Vice President

Kerry Levin, Ph.D.

VP of Public Health, Westat


Secretary

Tucker Kelleher-Brozost​

Attorney Advisor, Federal Labor Relations Authority

  • Members at Large

    Annica Wayman

    National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NIH)


    Jennifer M. Hosey

    New York Life


    Kevin Webb

    Global Head of WWPS/SAP,  Amazon Web Services


    Ric Andrews

    Sr. Training and Development Specialist, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments

  • Collaborations

    Our success wouldn't be possible without the following partnerships and collaborations over the past 20 years:


    Action Youth Media


    AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center 


    Artivate 


    Big Learning 


    Community CHEER


    Gadget Lab 


    KID Museum


    MHP (Making Home Possible)


    Montgomery College Youth Programs 


    Montgomery County Collaboration Council 


    The Montgomery County Public School System (MCPS) 


    Montgomery County Department of Recreation


    Spur Local

People

Students and their schools

Passion for Learning works with MCPS students to help them advance their STEM skills and interests as well as plans for success in high school and college. For the 2024-25 school year we engaged students from these MCPS middle and high schools:

  • Eastern
  • Silver Spring International
  • Parkland
  • Shady Grove


  • Montgomery Blair HS


Instructors with Passion 4 Learning
Instructors

Instructors

At each of our partner schools, we link students to talented and caring MCPS teachers, who encourage our youth and help them strive and achieve. Many of our teachers have been with our programs for several years.  Examples include:


  • Ned MacFadden at Eastern Middle School, who’s been one of our “adolescent whisperers” for 10+ years. 
  • Jo Doerrman, at Shady Grove Middle school, has been teaching computer technology for us since 2006. 
  • Additionally, we have a years-long special partnership with Karen Giacopuzzi, founder of Gadget Lab, who leads one of our most popular STEM programs, "Tech Squad."

Inspiring Adults

Each year we engage college students and adult professionals who visit after school programs.  They inspire our youth and stimulate their interests in future STEM pursuits and professions.  Program guests have included bioengineering grad students, an etymology researcher, electrical engineer, video game designers, digital artists, photographers, and videographers.

Annually, our students meet college students and admissions staff, and take campus tours that include Montgomery College, The Universities at Shady Grove, Towson University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and American University.  New for 2022: University of Maryland College Park.


Classroom Assistants

Passion for Learning engages high school and college students—including many P4L program alums.  For the current 2024-25 school year, 10 MCPS high school students are coaching and mentoring their younger peers. Our thanks go out to:

Emmauel, India, Ismael, Jeferson, Jenny, Kayla, Michael, Mraihi, Tokyo, and Tyrese