Program volunteers sit with students, write with them, ask questions, and help them develop their stories or poems. As a volunteer, you'll help us with field trips in downtown Portland, residencies in school classrooms, and at events selling books by student authors. You'll work with a range of different learners, including varying ages and abilities. Some of our students are reluctant writers and need basic coaching, while others are working on their novel and want feedback on their craft.
Often we need help during the school day, so our volunteer opportunities are perfect for college students, retirees, or adults with flexible schedules. If you like empowering young people and enjoy literary arts, fill out our volunteer application to get started!
If you know The Telling Room, then you might also know Anne Fowler, one of our long-time volunteers! Anne volunteers with our afterschool programs and in-school residencies, supports book events, and is even stellar at stuffing appeal envelopes. Thank you to Anne for all of your hard work over the years!
What brought you to The Telling Room?
I knew when I retired from my parish job in Boston and moved back to Portland, where I grew up, that I wanted to do something with kids and writing. I had taught at the college level for years before I was ordained as an Episcopal priest, and I have also published several books of poetry. I thought I might like to find a way to teach poetry in public schools, but I didn’t know where to start.
I mentioned this idea to a neighbor and she said, “Go to the Telling Room!” So I did. That was in 2014. I came to a couple of volunteer trainings and then I began to help out in The Telling Room itself and in schools. I love everything we do and I’ve learned a great deal.
Could you share a highlight from your volunteer experience?
The biggest highlight of my years here was a project with two classes of Juniors at South Portland High. The kids’ project was to write and illustrate some books for 2nd graders. They wrote amazing stories with titles like “ A Trip from Libya to Greece by Boat,” and “The Moon is the Same Moon in Iraq and Here.” When the books were finished the students learned to bind them. They looked fabulous! Students practiced reading them for the 2nd graders, and then one day we all piled on a bus and drove to the Dyer Elementary School, where my daughter Elizabeth is principal! The Juniors walked in proudly with their books and were greeted by Elizabeth and a flock of 2nd graders with great enthusiasm. The students sat down in very small chairs and read to my daughter’s students. I felt two precious parts of my world come together.
What have I last geeked out about?
I would say Dr. Anthony Fauci. I have an action figure of him with a removable mask that my granddaughter gave me, and also a felt doll with a sign saying “keep calm and wear a mask.”
Thank you Anne for all of your hard work over the years!