The opportunity to serve Armenia again through the Virtual Service Pilot struck me as something I didn't know I was looking for.

Evacuating from Armenia was disappointing, but returning virtually to support Armenian students has kept me connected to a place I hope to return to.

I realized this was my opportunity to give something substantial — not a mere token of appreciation, but something akin to what I’d been given when I’d been a volunteer: time.

Serving with the Peace Corps was my dream as I grew up in Kazakhstan.

I was a 7 year old in Detroit when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I can still remember my teacher screaming and crying after hearing the news.

The video highlights a little bit of what our 27th group trainees experienced during their pre-service training in Ararat Region, Armenia.

It may come as a surprise that the National Teacher of the Year never set out to be a teacher. 

The Linking Identities, Forming Trust (LIFT) Committee has created a safe space for other Volunteers and I to be able to participate in a cultural exchange with Armenian youth and adults. 

When I first came to Armenia and started to learn the Armenian language I was overwhelmed by the difficult task ahead. I decided I was going to try and only learn the basics for survival because after all, who speaks Armenian?