Name: Jessica Chavali
Hometown: Telangana, India
College and Major: University of New Haven, Finance and Financial Analytics
Tutor Site: Bristol Street
Clubs: Chess, Comprehension.
Favorite Childhood Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series.
New Haven Reads has been the best part of my summer this year. NHR’s environment is so full of life, jovial, electric, and shared amongst so many inspiring individuals that I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve had the opportunity of supporting the organization across a wide range of aspects, from administrative tasks like organizing lesson folders, to sorting books in the book bank, up to tutoring all the students I’ve gotten to know along the summer. Every step of my journey here has taught me adaptability, resilience, strong leadership, effective communication, and a sincere respect to the service that I’ll carry with me going forward.
The students are undoubtedly the most special part of the program. I relished every tutoring session, getting to sit with them for an hour, listening to their everyday stories, reading with them, supporting them to get better, and ultimately, sharing the joy and power of reading. The mission statement truly comes to life in those sessions. I can recall many moments during which my student felt a sense of pride for being able to read something correctly, as did I, for being a part of their special moment. I’ve never appreciated the privilege of receiving the support I did to be able to read until I sat at the table as someone who could provide that support to a student who did not share the same privilege. Tutoring the children refined not only my communication and leadership skills, but also my gratitude towards things we take for granted, and introspection. I’m incredibly grateful for sharing the gift of reading with so many delightful and smart minds that made my summer so memorable.
As a club leader, I got to see the students shine in so many other ways than just reading! I saw leadership in some Chess club members stepping up to mentor the beginners, determination in the beginners to master the game, and commendable sportsmanship in the players who shook hands after a game, respectfully accepting the victory/failure before they got back to setting up the board for another game. I had so much fun teaching chess and playing with them, that every session flew by before I knew it. The Comprehension club was also a delight. We played a new comprehension game every week, learned different ways to process reading, and ended each session with story time and lots of giggles, making up stories about burgers and fries coming to life. This part of the session was a favorite of all the club members. Club helpers, Mary and Alex, have been a great support in coming up with creative activities for the students every week and leading some sessions themselves. We were a great team, and I’m so glad I got to do this with them.
I’ve learned from the staff as much as I did from the kids. I’m thankful for Hayley Herrington, the Education Director, for being a consistent and supportive presence throughout my journey here. She’s the first person I met when I started, and her warm energy and charismatic personality made me feel so welcome and I swiftly became a part of the team. Aimee Curtis-Travaglini, the Bristol Street Site Director, has become one of my all-time favorite supervisors in my professional career. She’s incredibly kind, approachable, and has an unwavering energy that keeps the entire place in high spirits. I thank Aimee for teaching me valuable lessons about being a leader through her leadership. Finally, I thank every single staff member at all the sites I met throughout my time here for spreading so much warmth, love, and genuine passion throughout the team; their zeal is contagious. New Haven Reads is a family, and it is evident in everything they do. It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside them.
