Please join us in congratulating Sonya Williams - Words Alive Volunteer of the Month for May 2018!
Sonya has been with our volunteer family since December. She has already made such an impact on her Adolescent Book Group students and teachers at South Bay Blended Tech in National City. Sonya’s charisma is unparalleled, which makes her a dynamic facilitator. She has a knack for commanding attention from her group of raucous teens while keeping the session fun and engaging. She makes it a point to provide one on one attention, connecting with individual students throughout each creative writing session.
Sonya has also contributed to the program by writing curriculum guides. And, she has started to help facilitate volunteer orientations – sharing her classroom experiences and tips with new volunteers.
Her support is well-rounded and given with such positivity and energy. Sonya, we are so lucky to work with you! Thanks for giving us your time.
Check out the Volunteer of the Month Interview with Sonya below:
Tell us a little about yourself.
I have always loved reading. As a young child, I was always sneaking off to read a book (and I still do). My love of reading took me to England for my master’s degree in English Literature, inspired me to start several book clubs, teach college, ESL and literacy classes, run an educational center, write curriculum, and develop training programs and e-learning courses. These days, I also spend a lot of time reading Mo Willems books with my kids.
What is the most rewarding part of your volunteer role(s)?
I initially got involved with Words Alive to develop curriculum, but was convinced to teach an ABG writing class, and I’m glad I did. It’s so rewarding to develop real connections with individual students, and to see a powerful, personal piece of writing come from a student who doesn’t speak in class. And it’s inspiring to work with the classroom teachers who invest their lives in these students.
What have you been reading lately?
I’m currently reading Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.