At iACT, we have great appreciation for the wonderful staff who make our service work possible! In this Staff Spotlight, ZiZi Ellison, iACT Refugee Program Specialist , tells us a little more about herself.
Q: Where are you from? How long have you been in Austin?
A: I was born and raised in Iran but my parents are from Iraq. I moved to Austin from Iraq five years ago on Jan 21st, 2015.
How Long have you worked at iACT?
I joined iACT as a youth mentor in 2015 and started working with iACT as freelance interpreter/translator the same year.
What do you do at iACT?
I am working now as a full-time employee with iACT Refugee Program. I start my day in the downtown class site Monday through Thursday till noon. I am responsible of registering new students, Pre-testing new student, Post-testing when the student meets 40 hours and supporting the site supervisor. When I am back to the office, I am working on student files. I also work as a volunteer coordinator which includes but not limited to conducting monthly trainings, placing volunteer and coordinating volunteers during iACT annual events.
What do you enjoy the most about the work you do at iACT?
I love everything I do with iACT, but I most enjoy interacting with students. Students are so motivated to learn English. I love watching students from different countries greeting each other and using English as common language to interact with one another.
What’s the most challenging thing about the work you do at iACT?
Before I joined iACT family as full-time employee, I was part of the youth summer program and mentorship program that starts in fall. It is challenging to work with student who never had formal schooling or have a low literacy in their native language. The most challenge thing was when I interpreted general class norms, I had to search for examples that they can understand and implement in the classroom.
What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do at iACT?
I love working with children, they are so eager to learn. They constantly support each other regardless of the language barriers. The positive interaction, the supportive community regardless of differences in language, religion and culture, the unconditional love for one another are most rewarding to me.
Why would you encourage others to support the work of iACT?
iACT is one united family that support their community by listening to their struggles. They never turn anyone away, never. iACT helped me to stand on my feet and find my path in life. When you support iACT, you help people in your community to stay together, get stronger and give back to their community without any expectations.
