Meet the Team Leaders: Lauren Loeffler

Lauren Loeffler, CalSERVES Team Leader at Wright Charter School

Having first joined the CalSERVES family last year as a V.I.P, Lauren Loeffler is now the Team Leader at Wright Charter School. Her belief that that every person, whether they are tall, small, young, or old, deserves a chance to learn and have access to the proper tools that will enable that learning, is what first led Lauren to apply at CalSERVES and is what keeps her involved in the program.

After graduating from University of Minnesota, Duluth and suffering from what she calls an early quarter-life crisis, Lauren went to live in Florence, Italy where she worked as a travel guide for a travel company. While she enjoyed the job and loved traveling and experiencing the world, she knew something was missing in her life; she wanted to fill her time and put her energy into something more substantial and worthwhile. This desire and her interest in the education field led her to the CalSERVES program.

Lauren initially joined CalSERVES because the field of education not only interested her but concerned her as well. That is, she was, and still is, worried that due to budget cuts and other reasons, the United States has seen a decline in the quality of its education. Dedicated teachers are working hard to bridge the gaps and give children the education they deserve and need. However, there needs to be more resources and people willing to commit themselves to improving schools and learning for kids to thrive. Lauren, during her time at CalSERVES, wants to gain further experience so that she may continue working with those striving to improve the academic lives of America's students.

As a Team Leader, Lauren hopes to encourage independence by giving her students the tools they need to succeed. Despite how much she cares for the kids, Lauren doesn't want them to need the scholars or classroom leaders; she would rather see them do able to do everything on their own and help others in a similar situation. Additionally, Lauren loves how the entire team (AmeriCorps members, classroom leaders, and the school staff and administration as well) at Wright is so supportive and eager to help the students succeed. Lauren says she is proud of them and the work they are doing and absolutely loves working with them everyday.

As for advice for future Team Leaders or Service Scholars, Lauren says to get ready for an elaborate juggling act. The job requires you to do, and be, so much more than what is stated on the job description, but it is worth all the stress and tiredness you feel when you know you are helping students learn more and live better lives.

By: Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Content Leader and Lauren Loeffler, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Wright Charter School