Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Orrick

When Sarah Orrick signed up to help another adult learn to read as a volunteer tutor for Literacy NRV in 2017, she never imagined how much she herself would gain from the experience.

“When you are a tutor, you are getting benefits that you don’t necessarily anticipate,” said Sarah, who has tutored two English language learners over the past 8 years. “I have gained new friends, gotten to know my students’ families, and have enjoyed being exposed to different cultures. It’s been enlightening to get out of my circles and meet people with different life stories and perspectives.” 

Sarah said she originally chose to volunteer as a tutor because literacy aligned with her interests as a writer/editor. “Also I wanted to be a friendly American, a good representative of our country. I want new immigrants to feel welcome and at home here, and can’t imagine the daily challenges they experience not knowing the language,” said Sarah, a resident of Elliston.

She summarized her experience as a tutor as both “positive and gratifying.”

Mervat (left), Sarah (right), and Mervat’s grand-daughter.

Her first student, Mervat, was a grandmother from Egypt who never had the opportunity to learn to read and write in her home language of Arabic, and who wanted to learn to read and write in English and to pass her US citizenship test. Mervat worked her way through our Laubach phonics series, starting in book 1 and learning new skills to progress through book 4. Mervat also worked with another tutor, Gail Witherspoon, and “we all became friends in the process,” said Sarah.

Mervat achieved her US citizenship in November 2020! Sarah and Mervat still meet for lunch periodically. “She even invited me to her daughter’s wedding. And I’ve watched her grand-daughter grow up. We have remained friends.”

Sarah (left) and Gail (second from left) enjoy lunch with former student Mervat and her grand-daughter.

Her second (and current student) Lupe is a local agricultural worker originally from Mexico who is fluent in English oral communication and wants to improve reading, writing and math skills to achieve his GED. Sarah says it’s inspiring to see how hard Lupe has worked toward his goal, despite having a full-time job and family responsibilities. “He’s got a lot going on but has never wavered in his commitment,” said Sarah with admiration. The two have been meeting weekly since 2018, with a break during covid lockdown, and Lupe has passed two of the four GED subject tests! 

“Tutoring has allowed me to challenge myself and exercise my brain in a different way. I’m not a teacher, have never been a teacher, and I don’t necessarily have a talent for that,” said Sarah. “But it’s really about getting to know the person, developing a rapport, figuring out what works, what approach makes the student comfortable and letting the student guide instruction.”

Mervat, one of Sarah’s students, shows off her progress from book 1 to book 4 in the Laubach phonics series.  She learned to read to successfully pass the US Citizenship exam.