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  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Latest News
    • Impact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Student Yearbook ’20-’21
    • Customer Service Skills Program
    • Literacy Foundations
    • High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE)
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
      • Want to Learn English?
      • ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
      • အင်္ဂလိပ်စာလေ့လာချင်ပါသလား
      • Veux-tu apprendre l’anglais?
      • هل تريد تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟
      • Queres aprender inglês?
    • Certifications
      • Customer Service Certification
      • Paraprofessional Training and Certification
  • BOOKSTORE
    • Hours & Location
    • Shop Online
    • Donate Books
    • Shop Audiobooks
    • Shop Merch
    • Consignment
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Join Our Team
    • AmeriCorps
    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
    • Submit an Event
    • Newsletter
  • EVENT CALENDAR
  • CONTACT
    • Prospective Student Form
  • DONATE
October 5, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight: Intern Lauren Reed

pasted image – FImg

October 1-5 is National Tutoring Week, where education organizations across the country recognize those who help teach learners of all ages. Indy Reads classrooms are built around the support of volunteer tutors, and one of the ways we’ll be celebrating our volunteers this week with a series of volunteer spotlights.

To learn more about volunteering at Indy Reads, email MaryAnna Ferris or visit indyreads.org/volunteer!


Our first intern at Indy Reads, Lauren devotes two mornings a week in our ELL (English Language Learner) classes at the Excel Center, where she assists the classroom instructor with teaching and lesson planning. In addition to getting hands-on experience, Lauren participates in weekly professional development meetings during which she brings questions to the table, enabling her to get one-to-one mentoring as a she works towards her ELL teaching certification.  

Although she started in mid-August, she had plenty to say about her experience so far:

 

Why did you choose to intern with Indy Reads?

After following Indy Reads through social media and visiting the bookstore, Lauren decided it was finally time to work with the organization, which she described as a “non-profit on the progressive side of promoting literacy.” When she heard about the internship opportunity, she thought, “That’s perfect. I feel they do a great job in the community promoting literacy and it would be a great place to learn more.”  

She cited practice and observation as the main benefits of the internship. “Taking classes, you get the theory of why people do what they do, but seeing it is completely different.” She also enjoys getting 1-1 time to work on lesson planning. “I feel like it will make me a much better teacher in the future and will help my students be much more proficient in English.”

 

Lauren told us three things she enjoys about working with students:

  1. Getting to know their backgrounds: why they want to learn English, their culture & their country, which enables her to gain knowledge about places she’s never visited.
  2. Getting to know the teachers, volunteers, and people who are passionate about ELL and about welcoming new people to this country.
  3. The joy of teaching: “I get a lot of joy out of teaching English . . . English as a language, and getting to share and practice that with other people.”

 

What have students taught you in the classroom?

“How much you can do if you’re passionate about succeeding and learning as much as they can to fulfill their dreams.”

The students, many of whom have been through the trauma of war and political upheaval, inspire her daily with their positive attitude and work ethic. “Some of them have told me the best part of their week is coming to class. It makes me feel good, but it’s inspiring to see them work and succeed.”  

She described the classroom as a community that is host to students with a variety of dreams, from becoming a makeup artist or an entrepreneur. “If I can be a stepping stone in helping them reach their goals. That’s really inspiring.”

 

Tell me something interesting about yourself.

When Lauren decided to go bungee jumping in New Zealand off the first bridge certified for this daredevil activity, it was a stretch for her. “The hardest part is convincing yourself that you should jump off a building over rushing water,” she said. She’s glad she did, though, as the activity was “surprisingly exhilarating . . . but relaxing as you fall through the air.”

 

What do you tell people about volunteering and interning at Indy Reads?

“As volunteers, we get to do so much. We’re very involved in the classroom and we’re given a lot of responsibility. If anyone is interested in teaching as a career, they should think about the internship program. It’s a good stepping stone.”

2018 Indy Reads Indy Reads Volunteers Indy Reads Writes Tutor Week 2018
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About

Our mission is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential.
 

Upcoming Events

December

January 2023

February
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Events for December

26th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

27th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for December

28th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

29th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

30th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

1st

No Events
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for January

2nd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

3rd

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

4th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

5th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

6th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

7th

The author, Vincent Alexander, in a classroom. He is bald and has glasses. He is wearing a light gray tie and a collared button-down.
3:00 pm

Vincent Alexander: Ninety-Nine Problems

Indy Reads
Events for January

8th

4:00 pm

The Book to Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema

Kan-Kan Theater 1
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Events for January

9th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

10th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

11th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

12th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

13th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

14th

No Events
Events for January

15th

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
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Events for January

16th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

17th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

18th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

19th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

21st

No Events
Events for January

22nd

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
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Events for January

23rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

24th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

26th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

28th

10:30 am

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
6:30 pm

New Year, New Poetry Slam & Open Mic with BOOTH

Indy Reads
Events for January

29th

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
30
31
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Events for January

30th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

31st

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for February

1st

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Headshot of Angela Hale. She has long dark brown hair, drop earrings, and is smiling.
6:00 pm

Federal Tax Support Workshop

Indy Reads
Events for February

2nd

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for February

3rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for February

4th

Photo of author, Lindsey Frazier, smiling. She has blonde hair and a gray hoodie on.
2:00 pm

Lindsey Frazier: Oh Love, Come Close

Indy Reads
Events for February

5th

4:00 pm

The Book to Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema

Kan-Kan Theater 1

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