This month, we are starting our first monthly feature focused on our staff to highlight some of the faces that help to organize the Everybody Wins! Iowa programs. The honor of being our very first featured site coordinator goes to Amber Juffer.
This is Amber’s first year in the site coordinator role. She is currently coordinating at Greenwood Elementary this summer, but during the school year, Amber coordinates our Power Read program at St. Theresa’s Elementary.
Amber started mentoring at St. Theresa’s in 2015 and was a mentor for a year before becoming a site coordinator.
“I really enjoyed my student and got to experience the sincere relationship that can happen from simply showing up week after week and focusing all my attention on him,” Amber said. “I was amazed at how much his confidence grew over the year!”
The next year, Amber decided to try out the site coordinator position since there was a need to fill at the school. She said that the position entailed a bit more than she had originally realized, but has adjusted quite nicely into her position.
“Now, I am really enjoying the role that a coordinator plays,” Amber said. “Making sure all the pieces are there for successful relationships to form and lots of shared reading to happen!”
Amber said that her favorite part of coordinating at St. Theresa’s this year was getting to know all of the other mentors.
“They are a great group!” Amber said. “Many of them have been volunteering with us for several years, and honestly, they really are naturals! It was nice to be able to provide the little bit of structure they needed and then watch them go.”
When she started at Greenwood this summer, Amber said that her first day was a bit hectic. However, she was glad that she still had a few of her mentors comment on how wonderful their students were.
“In just a few minutes, they had already made a connection and were really excited about it,” Amber said.
Amber said she is happy to be a small part of Everybody Wins! Iowa because of the impact that it has in Central Iowa.
“I believe that we are making a positive difference in our community,” Amber said. “I’m looking forward to all that is ahead!”
Thank you for everything that you do, Amber!