Charlotte Moore began volunteering at 826michigan at the beginning of last school year. Throughout the year, Charlotte has been an all-around MVP for our 826michigan In-residence program at Estabrook Elementary. Over the course of the fall and winter semesters, she worked 1:1 and in small groups with students in third, fifth, and sixth grade Writers Clubs. She discussed what it means to be a superhero with our Young Authors Book Project students, and has typed many pages of student work for publication. She’s also provided crucial support for our Field Trips program and Drop-in Writing for Wee-bots. Additionally, Charlotte joined 826michigan’s Outreach Cohort, a crew of 826michigan super-volunteers who spread the word about our programs and volunteer opportunities out in the community. Most recently, she tabled at the Parkridge SummerFest to let community members know about our Ypsilanti After-school Tutoring program, which will move to the Ypsilanti District Library-Michigan Ave Branch this fall. Charlotte is someone you can count on to jump in whenever needed, and we really appreciate all of her support!
In our Fully Programmed volunteer training, we ask volunteers to access their passions and interests to form genuine connections with students. One day while volunteering with the Writers Club at Estabrook Elementary, Charlotte learned that her sixth-grade writing buddy took regular gymnastics classes at the school. Charlotte, excited, got to relate to that writer in a special way: she used her own experience as a youth gymnast, and her ten years (!) of coaching gymnastics, to connect with the student and her story.
We’re also fortunate to have Charlotte’s background in teaching to support our volunteer crew. Charlotte has an undergraduate degree in English Secondary Education from Eastern Michigan University, and most recently earned a Master’s in Creative Writing from Eastern Michigan as well. While volunteering regularly with 826michigan, she also balanced (like an effortless gymnast would) teaching undergraduate writing at EMU, and tutoring in the University Writing Center. Whew! Charlotte does all of this and makes it look so easy.
Charlotte, THANK YOU for bringing your teaching and writing (and gymnastics) skills to 826michigan, for vaulting* in to help wherever needed, and for bringing your bright sunshine-filled personality to our programs and our students!
*gymnastics reference that I found on Google