For the past 10 years, Sharon Bell has volunteered with New American Pathways’ Education and Youth Program. She started with Refugee Family Services (RFS) as a homework tutor, primarily for eighth grade Somali boys and girls. Five years later, Sharon and her husband Bob Bell became two of the first volunteers in the afterschool program at McLendon Elementary, and they have been there ever since.
“The kids are what keeps us coming back,” Sharon explains. “You get addicted! You get hooked! I come every day because if I don’t come, I feel like I’m missing something.”
As our longest-serving active volunteer, Sharon has had many encounters with the students we have engaged over the years. One encounter in particular has been an ongoing inspiration for Sharon. Earlier in her service, she met a ninth-grade Congolese girl whom she closely mentored. She supported this student throughout her time in the afterschool program – and beyond, once the student moved away. Sharon invested extra time outside of school to help the student with projects and constantly motivated her to reach her full potential. She was able to watch the student’s confidence build, her writing mature, and her growth overall.
“She’s in her mid-twenties living in Iowa now; it’s been amazing to see how much she has grown,” Sharon says. “She has been my inspiration for sticking with it. It’s something about being there and supporting these kids that can make the difference for the student and the volunteer,” Sharon adds.
With no previous teaching experience before joining the tutoring program, Bob Bell considers every day with the students his most memorable experience.
“I kind of wing it,” Bob explains. “I try to be a friend, but I’m not afraid to tell them when they cross a line. I also make it clear that I like them. Consistency and having a responsibility to the kids is important.”
Ten years ago, Sharon was simply looking for something to fill her time outside of her profession as a freelance writer and editor, and she wanted more experiences with international communities. Five years ago, Bob had just retired as a lawyer, so he used his time to explore more service opportunities. The experience has turned into so much more than they expected it to be. They started-out volunteering several times a month, but gladly filled a full-time need for volunteers during the program’s weekly four-day tutoring sessions last August. The couple does not tutor in the same classroom, but volunteering with the students has been a great shared experience.
“We play off of each other; we’re able to talk about our shared experience, and it’s a nice experience to do with your partner,” Bob states.
Bob’s hobbies include film critiquing as a committee member for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and photography. Sharon loves gardening, reading, and grant writing. Sharon has taught in Brazil, Kenya, and Madagascar and she speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, and some Swahili. They have two children and they have backpacked around the world together. They recently became first-time grandparents and look forward to this new experience.
Their international experiences and professional skills have enhanced their ability to engage the students that they tutor.
“I have an understanding that all kids are different and you can’t come with expectations,” Sharon says.
“You’ve got to be flexible to their needs and not the other way around. It also helps to know languages, to relate to the students ESL challenges.”
“I learned how to listen and talk to people, as a lawyer, so I use this skill with the students,” Bob states. “We both draw from our experiences, but it’s about getting in there and doing the ground work that gives me a greater respect for what the teachers do and what this program does.”
From the inspiration they get from the students, to the excitement on the kids’ faces when they come in the classroom, to the kids need for them as consistent academic supporters and mentors…there is no single reason to be as passionate as the Bells are about the work they do as volunteers. New American Pathways is grateful that they love their service as much as we appreciate their service.