Volunteer Spotlight: Erika Hamilton
Erika Hamilton, a KOREH L.A. volunteer since September 2010, recently shared her experiences working with her reading partner Joey S., a second grader at Carthay Center Elementary School. Below are some of the highlights of her first year with the program:
My favorite thing about volunteering with KOREH L.A. is: My student Joey. About two months into volunteering I had to miss reading with him one week. When I showed up at his classroom the following week to take him to the library, he seemed SO happy to see me. His smile that day I will never forget. It made me realize that me + reading = fun for him.
Some of the techniques I like to use during my reading sessions are: At the beginning of each session Joey and I will each pick a book for him to read. Sometimes we get through both, sometimes we just read his. He seems to like being able to read something he's picked himself. And if we don't finish reading a book he really likes, he'll take it home with him. Then the next week we'll discuss it and he tells me what happened page by page (so I know he actually read it). Also, at the end of some of our sessions we have a little fun playing "I Spy" or Hangman-he has to write out the words/clues on a dry erase board I have.
Something I've learned from my reading partner is: Even though I know some Spanish, I try to get him to teach me a new Spanish word each session. He's also told me how to balance on a skateboard.
Throughout our reading sessions, I've seen my reading partner: Grow from a kindergarten to an almost second grade reading level. I have also seen his confidence grow. Last week he read the first page of a book (that two months ago he might have had a little trouble with), and he said, "I think this is going to be too easy for me." HA! I loved that.
KOREH L.A. has impacted my life because: It's allowed me to give back in a way that I truly love. I love to read. Also with my line of work (acting), it's very easy to become self-involved. This has allowed me to see what's really important-even if for a couple hours a week.
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