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Jessica Porath, college
student and English 2 volunteer teacher -- headed up a work project
at the English Learning Center this summer. Leveraging grant funds
from her summer employer (Johnson Controls), Jessica organized a
team of co-workers to come to the ELC and perform a “face lift” for
our computer lab.
Here are some of Jessica’s thoughts about the project and
volunteering at the ELC…
Why did you choose to volunteer at the English Learning Center?
I recently became interested in joining the Peace Corps and knew
that having a current volunteer position was important. I had done
some language teaching in the past and really enjoyed it. I started
looking for opportunities online and the ELC looked like the perfect
place. The fact that a curriculum is provided and that there are
plenty of "support staff" for the volunteers has been perfect for a
first time ESL teacher like me. Also, the one night a week
commitment is the perfect amount of time.
You’re home from college for the summer. What made you want to
spend your summer doing volunteer work in Minneapolis?
As I said before, I needed more volunteer experience to prepare
myself for the Peace Corps. Also, a friend of mine was teaching ESL
through a different organization and it really sounded like a lot of
fun. I've always been interested in volunteering regularly but
haven't actually taken the time to find a place to do it. I'm so
happy that I did, and I already can't wait to (hopefully) teach
again in the spring after I graduate.
What are you studying in college right now?
I'm majoring in Spanish and Business at Concordia College in
Moorhead.
What kind of work are you doing at Johnson Controls?
I do mostly administrative work. I take meeting minutes, document
construction work progress in pictures, work some with budgets, and
other miscellaneous office tasks.
How did you find out about this grant opportunity?
My dad is a manager with Johnson Controls and they were all notified
of the grant. Knowing that I volunteer at the English Learning
Center he told me about the grant and asked if I wanted to pursue
it. The ELC sounded like a perfect candidate.
What do you hope your colleagues get out of this service project?
I hope that helping out at the ELC will help my colleagues better
understand how important English language, computer, and other
classes provided by ELC and similar organizations are. Maybe it will
inspire them to volunteer more of their time than just that one
night.
What have you gotten out of your experience teaching at the ELC?
I have had such a blast teaching at the ELC! I learned a lot about
myself and my interests as a teacher. It is so much fun teaching
adults because they are only in class because they want to be. I
have so much respect for the fact that they take time out of their
day to try and learn so that they can do well here in the US. I
don't think I had ever really talked to someone from Somalia before,
so it was also a great cultural experience.
What do you hope to get out of this service project?
I hope that this service project will help the ELC and their
computer program. It would be hard being a non-profit organization
and not having the money or staff to make needed facility upgrades.
I'm excited that Johnson Controls could help out. I hope that
students will have a more enjoyable and comfortable computer class
experience as a result of our work; as well as Johnson Controls
employees having a chance to see the work ELC does.
What are your plans after you graduate from college?
Next May I will be leaving with the Peace Corp for two years
teaching ESL in Latin America. I'm really looking forward to it, and
my teaching at the ELC has definitely helped me feel more prepared.
After Peace Corps…who knows? I'm not sure yet whether I will pursue
teaching or business after that.
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