Tag: volunteer spotlight

This month we are delighted to share an interview with Kimberlee who gave lovely feedback to students for our Me In This Moment project.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Upstate New York and I have bounced around Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Ireland.  I have lived in New Orleans for the last 12 years, and this is the longest I have stayed put in my entire life!  

What first brought you to 826 New Orleans?

I have been a big fan of 826 New Orleans since the beginning. When I first heard about their youth writing programs and creative publishing projects I knew I needed to learn more. I started reading and sharing books from the 826 New Orleans collection with my kids. We loved the Pizza Poetry Project’s book Is it tasty, does it go to your soul?, the spooky stories collection Something Ain’t Right, and third graders’ advice on overhauling public spaces in Courageous, Eccentric, Diverse: New Monuments for New Orleans. Watching my kids connect with stories from these amazing young writers has been really fun! 

What keeps you coming back?

During the pandemic I volunteered to help with the “Me in this Moment” project.  Students from across New Orleans wrote about big moments in their lives and I was one of the volunteers behind the scenes cheering on their writing process and sprinkling feedback in the margins.  It was a fun and easy way to support young writers throughout this challenging year. I have so much admiration for all the students that shared their stories and I can’t wait to read the published book! 

What are some skills you have that help you out at 826 New Orleans?

I have a background in education and I’m used to collaborating with students on research and writing projects. I wrote a lot as a kid and I can still remember how much I anticipated and valued comments and red ink from my teachers. As a volunteer, I do my best to offer up encouragement and constructive feedback to young writers because I know how much it matters. 

What are you up to when you’re not volunteering with us?

I am a scientist who is learning to make more time for writing. This year I published some essays and wrote a chapter for a forthcoming book on teaching and learning through the pandemic. I love spending time with my family, biking around New Orleans, baking, and puttering in my garden.  

Favorite book/ author?

One of my favorite reads from this year was Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass about Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants.  My kids and I also loved Jason Reynold’s Track Series and we’re big fans of Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu!