My third great experience was joining Reading Partners. I also came across this community service opportunity at the activities fair. I figured this was another great opportunity to get involved with my community and have a positive impact on those who need help.
Reading Partners is a children’s literacy non-profit that pairs up with schools to provide aid to students falling behind in reading and writing skills. I was paired up with a girl in third grade and I was one of two of her reading partners. I would have weekly meetings with her where we would have a focused reading and/or writing skill we wanted to develop.
We would then go through constructive exercises to help develop her reading and writing skills. I felt a great sense of fulfillment each time we would finish a lesson because she would be able to do something that she wasn’t able to do before. With this volunteer work I have better developed my teaching skills and have learned to become more patient and attentive.
Sometimes my Reading Partner would get frustrated and I would have to calm her down and try explain things in a different way. Sadly, COVID-19 stopped allowing me to attend in person Reading Partners sessions which was one of the many missed opportunities that have occurred due to the pandemic. I have heard this semester in person Reading Partners sessions are progressively opening back up so I am excited to start going back in-person. I have a passion for positively impacting my community and I am glad I can do my part in making Tulsa a better city.