Volunteering in High School

In August of 2012, I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Arthur Ashe Charter School in New Orleans with PIES. It was my first time volunteering with the organization and my first time in New Orleans. Essentially, it was one of the best experiences of life. I recommend that anyone who has the chance to volunteer should take the opportunity, no matter the age. At sixteen years old, I was the youngest person on trip, but that did not prevent me from having a great time. I still remember some of the best parts of the trip, even four years later. The work PIES and I did for Arthur Ashe Public Charter will stick with me for the rest of my life.  

I gained many valuable experiences and learned many lessons while on the trip. As a young high school student, I rarely traveled nor had I been exposed to other communities not like mine. I think one of the most important lessons I learned while volunteering was to take to the time to learn about and understand the community you are serving. I learned that New Orleans is much more than the French Quarter and Mardi Gras. We took the bus and walked to our service site every morning. I saw up close what the real New Orleans is like. The vulnerability of the neighborhoods that I witnessed allowed me to see my privilege. It was gratifying to help out the teachers set up for that upcoming school year, but it was also humbling to have learned so much about myself and the Arthur Ashe community. This trip has been the source of my motivation to continue serving. As a current college senior, I have gone on to serve communities locally and internationally. I always take my experiences with PIES and Arthur Ashe Charter School with me wherever I go. 

Another amazing experience I gained while volunteering with PIES was meeting all the great people that I worked with. The other volunteers was such a diverse group in age and interests. It was a pleasure getting to know them all over the course of a week. I do wish that I had made more of an effort to keep in contact with the people I volunteered with. I recommend that any young person who is volunteering with PIES remember that importance of lasting relationships. I’ve learned that volunteering is not only about serving the community but learning how to work with others and taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Establishing great relationships and socializing will allow you to do just that.

I would love to go back to New Orleans with PIES. Knowing all that I know now about service, volunteering will mean so much more to me. I encourage anyone, no matter how young, to volunteer with PIES. It will be unforgettable and you will learn so much. I would suggest to make the most out of every experience and really embrace them. Whatever you experience in New Orleans and with PIES is truly invaluable.

Connecting with Educators!

After my first year teaching, I found out about a group of educators who were traveling to New Orleans to volunteer with schools.  Since beginning teaching, I had not done much volunteering.  I missed giving back and I thought this would be a perfect way to give back using my new skills I learned in the classroom.  Most of all I was excited to be connecting with educators.  

Since my first trip in 2008, I have been on 5 trips leading 4.  Each trip is distinct with unique personalities.  Each year I learn about myself as an individual and as an educator.  Most of how I learn about myself is through my experience with others on the trip and the educators that we serve.  

Each classroom I enter as a volunteer, helps me connect with educators.  While volunteering, I picked up new ideas for my classroom.  Sometimes I get to share my experiences with other educators.  Sometimes the connection is as simple as looking at a bulletin board and gaining an idea.  Other times, I learn about new ways to manage student behavior and build a better classroom community.  Whether small or large, each connection to an educator has impacted me as an educator.

Since my first trip, the NOLA Schools Project has become an organization of its own, Partnerships in Educator & Service.  As its own organization, the trips have expanded to new locations and new projects.  I was excited about volunteering in Brooklyn, New York.  I made new friends and as always made a difference.