By Lauren Ostlie, 2023–2024 English Literacy Tutor
Lauren served as an AmeriCorps member with Literacy First before pursuing medical school. She moved from North Dakota to Texas for her year of service and quickly found ways to get involved in her new community. In this blog, Lauren reflects on what she learned from her experience and what she will take with her in her future career as a physician.
Participating in an AmeriCorps service year changed my life for the better. Specifically, serving as an English Literacy Tutor with Literacy First in Austin, Texas, taught me to apply my personal strengths, such as kindness and compassion, in different contexts. I applied them when interacting with my young students and creating a support system in my new city. My skills and experiences from one aspect of my life fueled and enhanced the other.
During my time as a tutor, I used my interpersonal skills to work effectively with young students. Working with children can be challenging because, in conflict, I couldn’t reason with them in the same way I could with adults; the tools required to deescalate conflict were different. At the same time, working with children was rewarding because they weren’t adults. I noticed that my students saw the world through a joyful lens and a fresh set of eyes. They were attuned to the beauty around them, which sparked in me childlike joy and renewed gratitude.
I also learned that working with young students was dynamic—every day had unique triumphs and challenges. In education, what works for one student may not work for another, so it was important to tailor my lessons to what interested my students. It motivated them to strive for excellence. I realized too, though, that it was okay to not see results immediately, as some progress took more time and patience. I found that even delayed progress was worth celebrating!
My adaptability in my role as a Literacy First tutor was helpful in making Texas my new, temporary home. Being a flight away from my hometown was both challenging and invigorating. Moving to a different city taught me to be resilient, self-confident, and spontaneous. Experiencing my new environment stimulated my brain like a child’s. Not unlike my students, I saw my new world with joy and curiosity. That mindset strengthened my character and sense of self.
Moving to Austin led me to meet new people who had backgrounds and stories that, even if different from my own, connected with me. I found that kind friends and loving humans can be found anywhere, and if you’re lucky, friendships can be born from these connections, creating a new support system. My time in Texas made me realize that home is a relative concept. Home is more about the people—my new friends, team members, and the students I tutored—not about the place itself.
I will deeply miss the community that helped make Texas my home for those ten months. Although I’m sad to close this chapter of my life, I’m also excited to continue my education at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Becoming a physician has been my lifelong dream, and it will be an honor to serve patients with the skills I learned from Literacy First.
Lauren Ostlie (she/her) was an AmeriCorps member with Literacy First, who served as an English Literacy Tutor during the 2023–2024 school year. Before joining Literacy First, she completed an internship program studying public health disparities in her local community. Lauren became a tutor to give back to the community of Austin and to prepare for her vocation as a physician to improve public health for underserved populations. Her aspirations align with Literacy First’s mission to teach students to read at grade level by second grade, increasing the probability that they will stay in school in the future, which in turn favors positive health outcomes. In her free time, Lauren loves to hike, listen to music, and spend time with friends. If you’d like to connect with Lauren, you can find her on LinkedIn here.