A rewarding experience for Peace Corps Volunteer

Peace Corps volunteer Shelby Kimbrough was initially interested in the adventure a new country would present. The young Florida native therefore joined the Peace Corps.{{more}}

Kimbrough explained to SEARCHLIGHT that she had just finished college and was interested in getting into the volunteer service.

Since she has been in St. Vincent, Kimbrough has been involved in a rigorous remedial reading programme at the Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia (EHSM).

She disclosed that the programme has presented its challenges during the two years that she has worked there. Coming to the job with no formal training was one of her biggest challenges; she however worked along with another literacy coordinator at the school to improve her skills as well as those of the students at the school.

“Working with remedial reading at a high school is very challenging, because the kids are beyond the age where they really learn it the best. So I’m working with students who are five, six, seven grade levels behind were they should be. It’s really challenging, but rewarding,” Kimbrough explained.

She however explained that apathy is also one of the things she struggles with. “I see a lot of students and parents who just don’t care anymore, and that’s the hardest obstacle to overcome. It’s really difficult to teach students to read who don’t think that reading is important, who don’t care if they learn to read or not, and who don’t have the support system at home to push them back on the right track.”

However, Kimbrough has seen an improvement in the students’ reading.

“I’ve worked with about 50 students over the two years. I would say out of the 50 students, 21 of the students have improved their reading scores by 50 per cent or more. Some of them needed that individual help, some of them get locked in the classroom and left a little bit behind and they can’t catch up, so yes I’ve definitely seen an improvement.”

Kimbrough related that she has also seen an improvement in the children’s personalities as many who were timid have “come out of their shells.”

“I have students who didn’t have any friends, who were scared of their teachers, who were not into school and now they have friends and they talk and they raise their hands to ask questions,” Kimbrough said beaming.

She lauded the students, saying that she is very proud of their progress.

Kimbrough has also undertaken other activities during her time in St. Vincent. She has tutored students in music and has taught Maths and Science at the Guadeloupe Home for Girls, all experiences she has described as rewarding. She explained that tutoring the students has also encouraged her as a teacher.

“It was a good learning experience, I learnt a lot from the beginning, because I came in with nothing (training). It really helps your confidence in being a teacher,” she said.

Kimbrough is also motivated by the students, who she enjoys working with. “They’re really neat people!” she said.

Kimbrough will leave St. Vincent in October 2010. Until then, she plans to continue with the remedial programme and working on a literacy plan for the next year. She will also be working on a Library programme for the EHSM School and training the next Peace Corps volunteer who is expected to work at the school.

After her sojourn in St. Vincent is over, Kimbrough will journey to China to live with her parents, she hopes to get a job there or in the United States.