Meet Integrated Education & Training Coordinator/English Instructor Carrie Roper

About me: My name is Carrie Roper, and I am the Integrated Education and Training (IET) Coordinator and an English instructor with the Customized Workplace English program. I first came to the Literacy Center in 2015 as an AmeriCorps member for the Family Literacy Program. I spent 2 and a half years serving in that role before becoming a part-time and then full-time member of the staff. I have taught classes here for almost 6 years, and have grown so much both professionally and personally. I was encouraged by my fellow staff members to get my Master’s in TESOL, which I received from Cornerstone University in 2018, and I also have a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Grand Valley State University.

Hobbies: I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, but I still enjoy exploring new parts of this growing city, including the culturally diverse restaurants and interesting new breweries.

My favorite parts of the job/what I look forward to: I wear many hats in my role, but my favorite is teaching our diverse group of learners and writing curriculums. I enjoy working with so many wonderful instructors and supporting them with resources and activity ideas, while also encouraging and providing support to our equally wonderful and driven learners.