Elly is a retired Secondary school teacher and a bit of a dynamo! (She’s on the far right of the photo above). She has been volunteering with our ESOL (English) department for two years now, but also volunteers with Love to Learn GCSE homework club, and has helped out with day trips on the summer programme. Outside of KLS Elly also volunteers as a guide at Kew Gardens.
Elly is a fantastic volunteer. As a trained teacher, she knows how to keep a global view on the work going on in class, but is quick to identify students who need support and uses her imagination to adapt and simplify in order to help those students to access the lesson. This is especially helpful in large classes with a wide spread of abilities, which is a feature of community learning. Elly is also happy to jump in and lead sessions when the need arises.
During lockdown, although nervous of online teaching, Elly offered her services. With a bit of 1:1 training in using WhatsApp and Zoom, Elly was soon assisting with a familiar class and then in June / July when Fran was busy with calculated assessments and exams, she took over the group and co-taught with another volunteer Peter.
Elly approaches the role of classroom assistant with all the skills that put the students at ease – she is friendly and calm but also playful and her affection for the students shines out of her. Elly says of her voluntary work with us:
“Volunteering at KLS is a very happy experience for me. The ladies in the ESOL class always come in smiling, they love the class and ooze enthusiasm, and I always leave the class smiling with them.
These classes are so beneficial on many levels. The students learn English in a fun and effective way. They make firm friendships with others from their own and other new communities. They have a chance to share issues and experiences. They feel validated in their position in the family and the community as they are seen to be making such a commitment.
For me it is a delight to be a part of this learning experience. How gratifying for me to be able to use my teaching experience to support eager motivated students… a teacher’s dream!”
If you’d like to volunteer with us then please have a read of our latest Volunteering Opportunities at Katherine Low Settlement – List – 2020
Get in touch on 020 7223 2845 and [email protected]