Lindsay Bass-Sessions had been working in retail for several years when she decided she was ready for a change of pace. Turns out serving as tutor was exactly what she was looking for.
Originally from North Dakota, Lindsay moved to Minnesota with her husband in 2016. With over 15 years of retail experience under her belt, Lindsay had steadily worked her way up and held upper management roles at several stores over the years. Despite her success, she felt that something was missing. “I was started to feel the need to pivot out of the retail world,” Lindsay explains. “I felt this drive to give back to my community.”
When Lindsay happened across an online posting for Reading Corps, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. “You don’t have to come from a specific work or education background to serve with Reading Corps,” she says. “It doesn’t matter where you are at in your life, they give you what you need to know. You just need to have the desire to make a difference.”
While Lindsay still works part-time in retail, her 35 hours a week as a tutor have brought the change of pace she was hoping for. She enjoys building relationships with her students and likes how every day is different – you never know what a child will say or how much progress they will make. She says they keep her on her toes, but she loves every minute.
Through Reading Corps, Lindsay has also found a way to give back to her community. “As soon as I started working with the kids, I felt instant fulfillment,” Lindsay shares. “My students are making progress and becoming more confident. I know I am making a difference already.”
As for what’s up next, Lindsay is still figuring it out. “I would love to serve again,” she says. For the time being, Lindsay is happy with where she is at and wants others to join her. “If you are considering becoming a tutor, it is worth the leap,” Lindsay insists. “If you are looking for a change in your life, stop hesitating – it is so worth it.”
If you want to learn more about Lindsay’s path to service, check out her recent feature in the Quad Community Press.
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