Adaptation and flexibility are key for Fellows and their host organizations. Fellows get candid about their experience so far, discussing what they and their organizations have learned, and what they hope for the future.
My original post grad plans leading up to senior year were to become a high school history teacher.
On a rainy Tuesday morning, my coworker and I lugged our Jumpstart bags stuffed with books and craft supplies to a Brooklyn preschool. Though I had already coordinated many such events since I started my role six months ago, I still felt anticipation as I imagined how the children and teachers might respond to the books and activity. Like always, however, the skilled teachers made the event a breeze, catching tantrums before they escalated and prompting the students with thoughtful questions about the book.
My time at Playworks New England has been a transformative experience! At the beginning of my fellowship term, I had a difficult time transitioning from my place of origin in New York City to moving to Boston, a city new to me. I did not have relatives and had very few friends who were in the Boston area. With the support of Playworks, my co-workers quickly became my friends and some even that I could confide in. My position at Playworks has challenged me beyond my comfort zone as it has encouraged me to practice leadership skills and hone strengths that I didn’t know existed in myself.
When I tell people about the advising half of my work, I usually give a one-liner along the lines of, “I advise students about financial aid and college affordability, but it’s virtual so I’m mostly texting them.” This tends to receive many raised eyebrows, which only raise higher when I go on to explain that I have hundreds of students in my caseload.
What does it actually mean to be an FAO Schwarz Fellow? Tune in as second-year Fellow Lauren Hurley shows you what an average work day looks like at Breakthrough Greater Boston.
Check out our Instagram story on January 15th at instagram.com/faofellows.
Experiencing a Breakthrough summer is like nothing else. Nothing can quite prepare you for cheering every morning in front of groggy middle schoolers and chasing the bus when students leave each day.
I’ve lived in Queens, New York for 14 years. I volunteered with Reading Partners in my freshman year of college. Fast forward three years later, and I have had the wonderful opportunity to engage with the organization in South Jamaica, Queens. My work as a FAO Schwarz Fellow in the community engagement team includes recruiting volunteers and seeking partnerships in the community of South Jamaica. We currently partner with three public elementary schools where I tutor and actively connect with local civic and faith-based organizations to bring tutors to the reading centers.
When you were in school, did you feel like your voice mattered? At what age did it feel like
adults took you seriously? Were you allowed to move freely or make decisions for yourself? Did
you have input in the decisions that affected you most?
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