VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

This month we introduce you to Steve Lowe who joined Aspire as an Aberg volunteer in 2019. Born in Cincinnati, Steve brings to Aspire a love of education and a strong desire to help others. Our volunteers come to us with varied backgrounds and careers and Steve is a great example of the special people who serve our students.

PERSONAL LIFE

• What is your background? Family growing up. Where are you from? Have you lived in different cities?

I was born in Cincinnati, OH in 1952. I am the oldest of five kids.  My Dad was a businessman, and my mom stayed at home to take care of the kids. We left Cincinnati when I was 8 moved to the suburbs of Chicago. We had a lot of boys close to my age in the neighborhood, so it was a great childhood. We played baseball, touch football, softball, basketball, flashlight tag, board games, snowball wars, and just about everything boys can do to have fun. Then, when I was 16, we moved to the suburbs of Boston for my last two years of high school. I went to college at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Since college, I have lived in Washington, DC for a total of 43 years and spent a year in graduate school in Massachusetts. I also lived for three years in Minneapolis, MN.

• Growing up, what did you do for fun, hobbies?

Growing up, I played all kinds of sports with my neighborhood friends, but I especially love baseball. I also loved to read. I still play baseball now in an old guy baseball league. We play on the same size field as the major leaguers. I also still read a great deal and keep busy with some consulting work and volunteer activities.

• How long have you lived in the area?

My wife and I moved to Dallas from Washington, DC in June 2019 to be near our son and daughter-in-law. We love Dallas. The people are very friendly, and there are so many fun things to do. But even though Dallas is a big city, the pace of life is much more reasonable than in Washington.

• Did you go to university or college? What were you like as a student?

Yes, I graduated from college with a BA in American history. Later, I went back to school and obtained a Master’s degree in public administration. I have always loved reading, especially about history. I also really enjoy analyzing major current and historical events and then discussing and writing about the ideas that influenced them. All this combined to help make me a good student.

• What was your first job? Tell us about your work history.

Growing up I was a babysitter, golf caddy, delivered newspapers, and did other odd jobs. During college, I worked as a newspaper reporter; as a salesman; doing construction work, and being an intern for a U.S. Senator. My first job out of college was shoveling lime dust at a quarry then I got a job as a bank teller. After that, I got a job working in public policy which ended up allowing me to work for a U.S. Senator. Ever since that time I have mainly worked for the government as an employee or with businesses that help the government do its job.

VOLUNTEERING

• When did you begin volunteering with Aspire? What motivated you to volunteer?

I started working with ABERG in the fall of 2019 teaching Level 3 writing. Since then, I have taught a Level 3 class on Zoom and a conversation club class on Zoom. I started volunteering to teach ESL when I saw people working hard to improve themselves and make a better life for themselves here in America. I am motivated to help them in whatever way I can to achieve their goals.  When I moved to Dallas, I wanted to find a program where I could continue to teach ESL, and I heard good things about Aberg. What I heard was true and became even better when Aspire was created to combine two good programs. I really like the way Aspire helps its teachers and staff to support each other and therefore makes it easier for us to help our students as much as possible.

• How has online teaching changed your experience with the students, if any?

I really miss teaching in person because I think it is easier to connect with people when you are physically with them. However, I think online can work too, but it requires working extra hard to make a personal connection via Zoom. I set aside some time each class for all of us to talk as friends. I do a fun question for the class every week such as “What is your favorite movie?” or “What was the most fun thing you did in the last week?” I think this helps my classes get to know each other a bit better even if we are all sitting in front of a camera in different places.

• What has the volunteer experience been like for you?

I absolutely love working with the students. They are giving up their spare time to try to learn more English and improve their lives and the lives of their families.  I find the students to be inspiring as well as good people and lots of fun.

• Have you done any other volunteer work aside from Aspire?

Since we have moved to Dallas, my wife and I have volunteered at CitySquare and the Dallas Arboretum.  When we lived in Washington, DC, we taught ESL there and helped our church prepare meals for those in need.  When my kids were young, I coached some of their sports teams; helped my kids with their Boy and Girl Scout activities; worked with PTA, etc.

• What do you hope to accomplish by volunteering at Aspire?

I want to help the students achieve their goals of learning more English to help their kids with school, to help them in their jobs, and to help them be able to talk with more people and more fully enjoy their lives. My respect and admiration for the ESL students continues to grow with every new class I teach as I get to know more students.

• What makes you the proudest of your students?

How they make time in their very busy lives to try to improve themselves. This is not like a school where they are required to attend. These students choose to be here and make the extra effort needed to better speak and understand a difficult language to learn.

We are grateful to Steve and the many volunteer teachers who live in and outside North Texas. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Aspire, please contact Cassy Lujan, Volunteer Director, at CassyLujan@AspireToLearn.org.

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Important Dates

• 03-04-2022
   National Grammar Day

• 03-14-2022 - 03-18-2022
   Spring Break

• 03-17-2022
   Saint Patrick's Day

• 03-31-2022
   Toast to Literacy Auction

• 05-26-2022
   Last Day of Spring Classes

• Fall 2022
   Legacy of Literacy Breakfast

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