Volunteer Spotlight: Peter O
Peter has been in the ABE/ GED program for quite a while, and I will greatly miss having his presence in my classroom. Complete trust between instructors and full alignment with educational goals are hard to develop, yet that's what we always had when Peter was with us. I can boldly claim that Peter was my "right hand" when I needed help with any activity or when we had any technical or classroom issues. Peter's strong side is his lightness of character and ability to develop a quick rapport with students and other volunteers. I believe that throughout his service with Literacy Source, he was able to help numerous students feel more confident, more skilled, and less intimidated by any major life change.
~Elena Jounina, ABE/GED Instructor
1. Where are you originally from? If you’re not from Seattle what brought you here?
I’m originally from the frigid prairies of Saskatchewan, though I went to school in Toronto and lived there for almost a decade enjoying all the wonderful food and culture. As part of school, I did some internships here in Seattle with Adobe over the summer and fell in love with the city. I was lucky enough to get a job offer as a computer scientist, and have been here ever since.
2. Please share something of your life so far and what you would like to do in the future.
The last year has had a lot of changes. Last spring I finally got my US naturalization and became a citizen after a decade on various visas. It’s a relief to feel more secure with my status here. I also married my girlfriend last December and we’re expecting a baby this summer which is incredibly exciting and scary. I have no idea what the future holds, but in the short term, I expect there will be a lot of diapers :)
3. Why did you choose to volunteer at LS?
I originally chose to volunteer at Literacy Source because of my love for education as well as writing. Both my parents were teachers and I feel like it’s a wonderful vocation that lets you have a real impact. I also love reading and writing and have been part of various creative writing workshops in Seattle over the years. LS allows me to be part of the community while doing something that I love, which is a great combination.
4. What do you like about volunteering at LS?
One of the things I love most about LS is that it’s aimed at adults in the community who are trying to improve their lives. It’s a privilege to help people, many of whom immigrated from other countries, in improving their English, getting a GED, or improving their computer skills.
5. Any stories or highlights from volunteering at LS?
I don’t know if I have any particular highlights. I’ve enjoyed every class I've helped teach, and there've been great conversations over the years about Seattle, society, and English grammar.
6. What might people not know about you?
I don’t know if I have any particularly interesting tidbits. I love making pottery and have taken a bunch of classes over the years. My dream is to have a home studio one day to make my own pots. My wife and I also got two kittens last year, who are now about a year old and quite large! They’re two brothers who are equal parts stubborn and sweet.