Grace Fowler
Early Childhood Instructional Specialist
Why Briya? Because I am making a difference during my gap year.
After finishing college, I wanted a break before returning to school to work towards a PhD in psychology. I decided a year of volunteering would be a worthwhile way to give back during my gap year. I was offered several job descriptions, and the more I heard about Briya, the more excited I got about the school and its mission. A program that was two-generation and dual-language sounded like nothing I’d ever heard of before.
I love my students. My work supports the education process both inside and outside of the classroom, and includes leading small groups, documenting outcomes, and preparing materials. The children think so differently than adults do, and every day they do something that surprises me.
Briya is unique because it doesn’t feel like there’s a distinct line between staff and students. Parents feel like they’re part of a family rather than like they’re dropping their children off at a daycare. And as a volunteer at Briya, you’ll always feel welcome, there will always be something for you to do, and you’ll always be well fed.
This community that Briya provides is really important. Especially during an era when immigration is a divisive topic, it’s great to have a place that welcomes people regardless of where they’re from or how they got here. I’m grateful that for this year, I can be part of making a difference in the lives of Briya families.
Rachel Nerger
Digital Literacy Assistant
Why Briya? Because it helped me discover my love of teaching.
After graduating from college with a degree in Spanish and an eagerness to find meaningful work, I was excited when offered a full-time volunteer position as a digital literacy instructor for Briya’s adult students. It seemed like the perfect way to keep practicing my Spanish while contributing to an organization that serves the community.
Briya was an excellent place to start my career. Each week, I interacted with about 200 students as I helped teach computer and technology skills in Briya’s basic and intermediate English classes. I enjoyed providing students with practical skills and loved interacting with so many kind, dedicated students from around the world. Additionally, I had the chance to collaborate with and learn from experienced educators who provided me with support and feedback. I was inspired each day by the enthusiasm and compassion of my coworkers.
At Briya, I discovered how much I love teaching and decided to build a career in the field of education. After my volunteer year came to a close, I spent a year teaching in Slovakia before returning to Briya, where I currently work as an intermediate English teacher.
