May Alumni Career Profile

Name:  Katherine Bolcome       

Class Year:  2004

Major: Spanish

Current Employer:  Notre Dame Americorps

Describe your career path since graduation.

I graduated in January of 2004, and in the following month I secured a job at Rockport Middle School as a one to one teacher's assistant for the remainder of the school year. When I finished in June, I was notified of my acceptance with the Notre Dame Americorps, and since September 7, 2004, I have been working with Fair Oaks Elementary School in Redwood City, CA who is also in collaboration with Project READ.

 

What is your current position and how long have you been with your employer? 

Since my job is multifaceted, I do not have a concrete position title. The majority of my days are spent aiding elementary school classrooms 1-5 grade levels. I also tutor one on one in a program called Success For All (SFA). Besides those two positions, I also teach an ESL class to Hispanic women who wish to learn English and I facilitate an after school program called Kids in Partnership (KIP)--a collaborative that pairs high school students with elementary school children in a mentor program. I have been involved in these on-going projects since September of 2004.

 

Describe the main responsibilities of your position. 

The Americorps I am involved in has a specific goal oriented towards the promotion of English literacy. I find that in all of my work, a fundamental goal of enforcing the importance of education is ever present. Working with the elementary school children we are reaching out to the lowest 20% of readers in each grade to ensure that they are not "lost in the shuffle". When we work with the high schoolers, although they are termed "at risk", we are encouraging their abilities to be role models and to better themselves for their sakes and for the sakes of future generations.

 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

The children at my school are the highlight of my every waking moment. I know that when I arrive at school, one child is going to get more love and attention than he or she probably has all week. I love knowing that although I may not see immediate results, by the end of the year students will have breached a gap that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

 

What do you find most challenging about your job? 

The most challenging aspect of the job is the realization the certain economic factors exist to keep the children behind. Those factors prohibit children's positive self-esteem and worth. I find that no matter how much they enjoy learning, on the opposite side is the depressing reality that they cannot afford certain luxuries that they see other "normal" children enjoying. It's a hard realization at such a young age, and daily I see broken hearts that need mending. It is most challenging to not be able to alter the system to better benefit the impoverished in the region.

 

Describe your typical work week.  (How many hours you work, your work environment, etc.) 

I work anywhere from 40-60 hours a week. I am mainly in Fair Oaks elementary school during the day, and find myself lesson planning at the Redwood City Public Library (where the local Project READ office is housed). I am one amongst a team of 6, with fantastic leaders who support and encourage our steps and initiatives every step along the way.

 

What job search methods did you use to obtain your current position?  

I actually sought the advice of Sister Mary Ellen Dow, the campus ministry liaison at Bridgewater State College. She and I had formed a close bond, and I knew that she would be able to steer me in the direction that would lead best towards global, community and personal growth.

 

What advice could you give to students interested in your field? 

I would suggest that anyone who was interested in helping out the community and who has a desire to give back invest in a program like the Americorps or the Peace Corps. The goal of our group is to replace our position after the current program year is over to ensure that our goals and aspirations persist. If anyone is interested, and has the heart to share with those less fortunate, don't wait, sign up now.

Last Modified: May 5, 2005