HOUSTON – Wednesday morning at a breakfast, the Houston Independent School District recognized some of its volunteers who help students and teachers throughout the year.
This year, Samuel Pratt won the parent partner of the year award. It's the first time a man has earned the award.
Pratt is a single father of a 7-year-old boy who has perfect attendance and straight A's at Thompson Elementary School.
Pratt said he believes that spending time mentoring and tutoring kids can make a difference in their lives.
"I want to give back to the kids because they need help in so many ways. I figured I could help some kids girls and boys," Pratt said.
"We value Mr. Pratt and what he does for the students at his elementary campus at HISD five and six hours a day," said Kelly Cline, a senior manager at HISD. "I'm not quite sure how he does it."
It's not easy, but Pratt said his involvement with the kids won't end anytime soon.
"They say it takes a village to raise these kids, but it takes a whole nation to raise them," he said. "If I have my health and my strength, I'll continue to do it."
Mr. Pratt, as he's known to the kids at Thompson Elementary School, is a personal trainer and a barber. He also has a young daughter.