Name: Sophie Salazar
Hometown: Stratford, CT
College and Major: Harvard, Psychology
Tutoring Site: Bristol Street
Club: Chess and Sub or Dub
Favorite Childhood Book: Little Women
Ever since I was young, I have loved storytelling. When I was a child, I would staple pieces of paper into little booklets and draw and write away, making little picture books. Nowadays, I write comics in my free time, and I am doing a minor in art with the intent of continuing in my comic creation. As someone who loves kids, and an intended psychology major with plans to potentially become a therapist, learning to work well with kids and empathize with others this summer is something I am very happy to do. And I get to share my love of storytelling in the process—what better way to allow children to immerse themselves in storytelling than by giving them the skills necessary to read? Because of these interests, working at New Haven Reads this summer seemed like an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful for the Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut funding me in this endeavor.
I have been working in this fellowship for four weeks now, and it has been a great experience. On the first day of orientation, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information thrust at me all at once. Then, tutoring time came. I wasn’t expecting to have to tutor on day one—but since tutors were calling out, my assistance was needed during the last tutoring hour. Although I had been told what to do earlier in the day, I was nervous to actually sit down with my student and help him learn to read. But when I did, it was not as hard as I was afraid it would be. My student was there because he wanted to be there; he wanted to improve his reading skills. So I sat there and helped guide him when he was struggling with reading or writing words, and congratulated him when he did a good job. When the hour was finished, I felt happy—happy because I had helped him make progress in his ability to read, even if that progress was very small, because it was progress toward an essential skill which will better equip him to succeed in life. I was happy because I knew I was helping make a difference.
I have also been enjoying this fellowship so far because I have been able to make use of my talents. Throughout the past four weeks, I have been assigned various administrative tasks, and one of them has been helping to reorganize and redo the Science Park tutoring location. I love making art, and one of the things I was able to do was paint a small mural for one of the walls at Science Park! I was able to help in decorating and also having fun doing something I enjoy. I have been able to work on a few other artistic projects as well, and that has been very gratifying.
Although the summer session has not started here at New Haven Reads yet, I am optimistic for it. I will be running Chess Club and Sub or Dub (anime—something else I am a big fan of). I want to make the most of my time here and really help the students, both by helping enable their future success by teaching them to read, and helping them enjoy their summer with some fun clubs!
