About Us
Opportunity in Motion
The Big Bus was born in 2022 when our founder, Tracy Davidson, ran a re-election campaign for school board in Westerville, OH. Spending time out in the Westerville community, Tracy spoke with New American families at Abbey Lane apartments. Many of these families had arrived in the United States within the last three to five years, some from refugee camps.
Many of the Abbey Lane parents expressed hope that their children could receive academic support. For immigrant students who are also trying to learn English, navigating public education and succeeding in school involves serious challenges and complexities. Things we often take for granted—knowing the language that school subjects are taught in, for example—aren't always a given for these students.
One of the mothers, in broken English, asked if there was a way that she and other mothers in their community could receive help with their English language and reading skills. That way, they could help their children succeed in school while also helping each other integrate into their new community. She repeated the idea in Somali, and all of the mothers around her nodded their heads in agreement.
The idea for The Big Bus began to take shape that day, with dreams of bringing multigenerational impact and educational equity to under-resourced areas. The first literal Big Bus—our school bus beautifully redesigned into a mobile classroom—quickly became road ready, with its first stop set to Abbey Lane. The Big Bus team, meanwhile, made a commitment to continue deeply listening to community needs, with the understanding that supporting individuals and groups in need benefits our entire community ecosystem. ​
We started with after-school K-5 tutoring at Abbey Lane Apartments, we expanded to include English Language Learning (ELL) programming for parents and kindergarten readiness for preschool children. With our programming more firmly established, we have grown to Newcastle Townhomes. With the introduction of The Big Bus II, we hope to continue to grow our outreach.
Our Programs
The Big Bus I
Big Bus I focuses on after-school homework help for K-5th grade students in two community neighborhoods. We are at Newcastle Townhomes every Tuesday and Abbey Lane Apartments every Wednesday, providing students with a supportive, consistent learning environment each week.
The Big Bus II
Big Bus II serves middle and high school students across Westerville City Schools through a weekly rotation. In December of 2024 we launched programs at both Abbey Lane Apartments and Newcastle Townhomes, and have added Charring Cross since.
Our Approach
Accessible
Being able to (literally) meet students and families where they are is central to our approach. Regardless of how great a community opportunity or resource may be, it won't have an impact if it can't reach its intended target.
Multigenerational
Multigenerational impact was a key component of our original founding vision and continues to be a source of inspiration. Working cohesively with pre-K children, students, and parents gives us the opportunity to powerfully impact individuals and communities, both for now and for the future.
Listening-led
Our commitment to being listening-led helps us ensure that our approach genuinely addresses the challenges that we say we're working on. Our organization was created as a response to active, compassionate listening, and we're committed to maintaining that mindset as our reach grows.
Meet The Team
Kelly grew up in Northwest Ohio where she earned her BFA in Two Dimensional Studies from Bowling Green State University. She continued her education at Ashland University, earning her teaching certificate in K-12 Art Education. Kelly has lived in Westerville with her husband Nick and two boys, Judo and Niko, since 2016.
From her past experiences, she has been an art teacher with The Greater Columbus Arts Council and a substitute teacher in the Westerville City Schools District. She also managed an art studio for four years, where she built relationships with corporate clients creating unique teambuilding experiences. She enjoys being involved in the Westerville community and serves as a Committee Chair on the PTA.
In the summer months, she enjoys floating on the family boat at Delaware Lake with her boys. When she finds the time, she enjoys painting, swimming, grabbing a bite to eat in Uptown, or hosting friends on her patio.
Kelly Gurich
Executive Director
Tori grew up in Columbus. Graduating from Westerville South High School in 2016, Tori's educational path led her to Ohio University, where she pursued a degree in Communications and Integrated Media, honing her skills in the art of effective storytelling and media production.
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Tori's career started with a wedding floral company in Columbus, where she managed a team that taught DIY classes to excited wedding parties. In addition to The Big Bus, Tori currently works for a gene therapy company as an Administrative Professional II. ​Tori and her husband Caden live in Gahanna with their two cats.
Tori Dorne
Social Media and Website Coordinator
Stacy Johns
English Language Coordinator
Stacy was raised in northwest Ohio and has a bachelor's degree in German from The Ohio State University. While at OSU, she studied abroad for a semester at the University of Bonn in Germany and participated in shorter programs in England, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. These experiences shaped her perspectives about the joys and struggles of learning a language and adapting to new cultures.
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Stacy also has a Master of Education in foreign and second language education from OSU, and she recently completed her TESOL endorsement through Heidelberg University. She taught high school German before working as a lecturer at OSU, helping international students refine their English skills.
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Stacy, her husband Adam, and their three children live in Genoa Township. When she's not spending time with her family, she enjoys gardening, traveling, baking bread, and spending time with friends.