Member Bio: Annie Tobin

I have a bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s in Horticulture from Oregon State University. I have a work background in retail and mail-order plant nursery work. Upon graduation this year from Oregon State University, I found myself planning to volunteer as an academic tutor for children. I had taken a number of math classes to help with my science prerequisites for the second degree and I was reflecting back on my own needs in school growing up. Simultaneously, I looked into AmeriCorps as a way to give back and help pay back college loans. Finding a position where I tutor provides me with the type of volunteer engagement I was looking for.

I serve at Prospect Point Elementary School in the Resource Room. I work with Kindergarteners through Fifth graders. A typical day at the site includes one-on-one and group work in mathematics, language arts, and social skills. In addition to classroom time, I am in the cafeteria for breakfast and two lunches, and have recess duty. After school twice a week I can help with homework club and other days I am photocopying and performing other support tasks. My favorite part of every day is when a student makes a learning connection. This is why I serve.

I am not sure of my plans for beyond this year, but I am invested in researching what they will become as the year progresses. I am trying out teaching as a possible career working with kids either in academic or horticultural therapy or learning programs at public gardens. Prospect Point will have a garden in the spring that I am looking forward to digging into.

My geographic background is the Pacific Northwest – most of my life I’ve lived in Eugene, Oregon – so I am glad to be part of one of the diverse sections of the Northwest’s piece of the map. Two of the most formative parts of my background are the size of my family of origin and places I’ve visited in travels or lived in. I am from a family of seven kids – two boys and five girls. In addition to Eugene, I lived briefly in Manhattan in NY; Woodside, CA; Corvallis, OR; and Denver, CO. I had an opportunity to spend a week in Paris several years ago. I have travelled a little bit here and there in the United States and Canada growing up including several cross-country trips by car. Getting to know Walla Walla, I am adding it to the list.