2016 - 2017

PROJECT SHINE

Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY, which is right outside of the city of Utica, NY.  Utica has set an impressive standard in recent years, welcoming and accepting refugees and immigrants from all over the world.  With so many immigrants and refugees, many not knowing any English, Utica has many schools and programs set up to teach English as a Second Language (ESL).  Hamilton College's Levitt Center has partnered with the national Project SHINE program to allow students to volunteer at these local ESL schools and help teach the new Utica residents.  
I first was offered the opportunity to work for Project SHINE during my Sophomore year at Hamilton College, through my Anthropology of Education class with Professor Chaise LaDousa.  With brief training, I spent a few hours each week throughout the semester working at the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Utica, assisting an ESL teacher by either taking one student, two students, or a large group to work with them on set activities.  I continued volunteering at BOCES my senior year as part of a Project SHINE class, which allowed me to learn more specific skills to teaching ESL each week.