- Home
- Networks
- Topics
- Blogs
- Co-op Blogs
- Arts and Social Sciences Co-op Blog
- Beedie School of Business Co-op Blog
- Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology Co-op Blog
- Communication Co-op Blog
- Computing Science Co-op Blog
- Contemporary Arts Co-op Blog
- Engineering Co-op Blog
- Environment Co-op Blog
- Health Sciences Co-op Blog
- Interactive Arts & Technology Co-op Blog
- MSE Co-op Blog
- Science Co-op Blog
- Sustainable Energy Engineering Co-op Blog
- Communique
- ENGAGE
- Peer Education
- Co-op Blogs
- Galleries
- Learn
- Indigenous
- EAL/ESL
- iBelong
A Typical Day at Racing Readers

A Typical Day at Racing Readers
By: Celina Wang | Racing Readers Volunteer
Learn what it is like to volunteer for Racing Readers. Celina shares her typical day volunteering for the program.
It’s Wednesday afternoon. The sun filters through the windows. Everyone hovers around each other, stuck in that silent moment of nervous anticipation right before the school bell rings. “They’re coming,” another volunteer jokes, and there’s laughter all around, as the hallways outside the room come alive with noise. It’s an understanding sort of laughter – shared excitement, yes, but also an acknowledgement of unpredictability. Despite plans and preparations, each session is ultimately a surprise. None of us can ever truly know what to anticipate, though that doesn’t keep us from looking forward to it.
When I first applied for a volunteer position with the Racing Readers program, I didn’t know what to expect. The application itself was never a question; I love reading, working with children, and meeting like-minded peers. Fitness was a different story! Relay races, running laps, and running games were things that I hadn’t engaged in since my own days in elementary and high school – but hey, if these kids could power through it, surely I could too. At the pre-program training session for the Instructors, everything seemed straightforward: the ice among us strangers was broken, the volunteer manuals had all been distributed, and we had all been thoroughly coached in the basics of discipline and mentorship. There was only one variable left unknown, though perhaps the most important, and that was the children themselves – the heart of this program, upon which everything hinged.
Eight months snuck up behind us like a shadow, and we all parted ways from the program for the summer. There’s a lot I didn’t expect. I couldn’t have imagined all the adventures I would have at the start of this journey back in the late autumn 2014. Now, the main thing I think about is how much I miss it. Of course, each session was often wild with the hustle and bustle of preparations, and the planning did pose new challenges every time, but there’s something special about being part of a child’s life, no matter how brief. Sharing your wisdom, serving as a role model and giving support whenever needed are amazing experiences.
Although my role was to help the kids I also learned a lot. Of course I expected to hone my organization and teamwork skills, to grow more comfortable in the role and responsibilities of a leader, to adapt to the constantly changing needs and pressures of the position – and I came away with all that. I did not expect to become a mentor. I did not expect to be the one offering insight into the kids’ everyday situations and guiding them along their individual paths. Although I took on this mentorship role, I have ended up being a receiver just as much as a giver, for just as children have their own potential waiting to be stirred, they have the capacity to find that spark in others as well, and engage with it.
In my experience at the program, nothing has floored me as much as that feeling of being surprised by the very kids I thought I was supposed to be teaching. They shared some worldly knowledge, for instance, when the students in my group earnestly explained to me the celebrations of their culture. They would even open up on an individual level by talking about what they were reading or sharing what they learned in class that day. Something that really impressed me was their ability to be creative in improvisation. There was one time when a student sang us a song she had written right there on the classroom floor in mere minutes, and we all listened to the low, lovely swell of her voice in awe. I picked up on other things, too: how to engage better in natural, genuine conversation, unmotivated by anything besides the delight that comes with connection. I learned how to better catch cues of boredom, discomfort, or unhappiness, and how to reconcile them accordingly. I even learned how to be a positive influence through even just the simple gesture of listening, and letting others know that they have a voice, and that they are heard. And most of all, that the forging of even a mentor-student relationship is founded on reciprocation.
Once the program ended in June 2015, I couldn’t help but yearn once more for that hint of unpredictability. I missed those few hours a week that would send me into a frenzy of organization and supervision, but would also let me have fun, and leave me freer. It’s the element of surprise that we can emerge from what we have been confined to – the lull of acquaintanceships, first and forever impressions, the strict labels of teacher and student on opposite sides of the classroom – and still surprise each other, inspire each other, discover each other and ourselves. It was a privilege to work with such engaging students. I can also proudly say that as the Racing Readers program takes off to new heights, I’m more than willing to go along for the ride.
Recruitment for Racing Readers volunteers is currently happening! Application details are available at MyInvolvement.
Beyond the Article
- Check out the SFU News article on Racing Readers.
Posted on September 28, 2015
RELATED TOPICS
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEARCH THE OLC
Login
OUR TWEETS
Today's Top
![]() |
Series 10 Must-Have Clothing Items for Work [50] |
![]() |
Career Services Why Being a Tutor Can Help You Become a Better Student [21] |
![]() |
Peer Education How To Write Your Way Into Grad School [20] |
![]() |
Portfolios How to Ask for Reference Letters From Your Professor [17] |
![]() |
Volunteering My Experience Volunteering at the Nursing Home [16] |
Networking PEER Into Your CAREER [17] |
|
Work Search Working with Grace: Top Tips for Pre-Screen Interview Success [9] |
|
Co-op Reflections The “SURVIVIAL” Guide to CBSA [8] |
|
Interviews 10 Tips on Answering Interview Questions Effectively [8] |
|
Indigenous Career Resources The Work Study Program [5] |
[Blog] Life Experience Just Like Bunko: It's Not About You [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Preparation = Successful Interview! [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Acing Phone Interviews [1] |
|
[Story] Career Exploration We Are All Canucks: Dreams Come True [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews The Dirty Dozen Interview Questions (Part I) [1] |
7 seconds
From Forbes Magazine.
You have 7 seconds to make a first impression:
...
You're Welcome!
Just wanted to say a big "you're welcome!"
I think though, that we also owe you a big thank-you for all of your fantastic...
There but for the grace of
There but for the grace of God go I, reoccurs for me in periodically and I smile warmly and am grateful.
Thank you for your...
Uhoh, now you've sent us down
Uhoh, now you've sent us down a black hole of Youtube Conan clips......
Our failures define us
Conan's quote is incredibly profound..but not quite as profound as his "String Dance."