April Volunteer Spotlight: Erin
This month we are delighted to share an interview with Erin who has been incredibly helpful for our In School projects
Where are you from?
I am from New Jersey, the ‘Garden State’.
What first brought you to 826 New Orleans?
When I taught 4th grade, the students wanted to write about the Zombie Apocalypse. A colleague shared info on ‘Big Class’ (826 New Orleans was called at the time). The students and 826 worked together to publish two books all about haunted real estate and zombies in New Orleans.
What keeps you coming back?
It has become clear how impactful spoken and written words are, I’m encouraged to help bring students’ words to readers. The 826 projects have all been inspiring and incredibly fun. My favorites have been: ‘We the Almighty’, spine poems and collages inspired by the 1619 Project, and the student-friendly curriculum for Unfathomable Cities, A New Orleans Atlas.
What are some skills you have that help you out at 826 New Orleans?
I have a deep curiosity for what inspires people and my passion runs deep. I try to take care and show students and groups I work with gentle enthusiasm for thoughts and processes.
What are you up to when you’re not volunteering with us?
You can find me riding my bike around New Orleans. The city is a museum and I am always on the tour.
Favorite book/ author?
This is a tough one! A few authors who I believe capture feminine psyche and friendship adeptly: Magda Szabó, Elena Ferrante, Kiley Reid, Carmen Machado.
Favorite snack?
I call it a ‘trash snack’, Chicken salad on a pretzel chip.
Favorite thing about New Orleans?
There’s a lot to love about New Orleans and for me, those appreciative feelings are conjured up in moments: a wave from a colorful porch, paddling on the bayou, roaming the dusty Jazz Fest fairgrounds encountering music from all over the world, crawfish, getting drenched in an infamous rainstorm, Indians, steamy, slow summer days with a snowball antidote, Who Dat culture, an anhinga drying its wings on a City Park stump, cypress knees…
There’s truth to the phrase, ‘I know what it means to miss New Orleans.’
