I'm Emma Gallagher, 17 — library volunteer, Saturday story-hour reader, and reading buddy to 12 elementary kids. I want to teach 2nd grade. I'm starting now.
Six ways I spend my weeks getting kids hooked on reading — pick your favorite.
Weekly read-aloud at the public library. 20+ kids, all the voices, stickers for everyone. 60 sessions and counting.
Paired with 12 elementary kids for weekly reading practice. Average gain: 2 reading levels in a semester!
Volunteered on the summer bookmobile — 500+ free books handed out across 3 neighborhoods.
TA in Mrs. Lindqvist's kindergarten, 4 mornings a week. Centers, cubbies, and conflict resolution (sharing!).
Founded a club where high-schoolers write picture books — then read them to 1st graders. 8 books published (stapled, glorious).
Collected 1,200 used books for classroom libraries. Sorted, cleaned, delivered — with a spreadsheet, obviously.
When I was seven, my teacher Mrs. Abernathy read Where the Wild Things Are doing the monster voices, and I decided on the spot: that's the job.
Nine years later I've read aloud 60+ times, tutored 12 buddies, survived glitter-glue incidents, and learned that teaching is 10% lesson plans and 90% noticing — who's hungry, who's shy, who needs the dinosaur book again.
Next stop: education degree (applications in!). Dream: my own 2nd-grade classroom with a reading corner the size of a small country. Until then — the library, the buddies, and all the voices.
Emma Gallagher · Senior · 300+ volunteer hrs · Specialism: early literacy & dramatic dragon voices
"My son went from hiding books to reading to the DOG. Emma is magic."
— Priya R., buddy parent"The rare volunteer who shows up early, stays late, and the kids ASK for by name."
— Ms. Hart, children's librarian"Emma runs centers like a pro. My kindergarteners think she's a real teacher already."
— Mrs. Lindqvist, mentor teacher30 mins weekly · grades K–3
Library or school · progress notes monthly
Tue/Thu 4–5:30pm · all subjects to 5th grade
Snacks provided (obviously)
Nope! Books, stickers and silliness provided. Just bring your kid (and maybe their library card).
YES — I train new story-hour volunteers every month. Great service hours, even better giggles.
Education degree + elementary credential. This page becomes my application portfolio (hi, admissions!).