Mother & Daughter Volunteer at Kilmer Center—Two Decades Apart

January 15th 2024

When Julia Shakeshaft ’26 began her sophomore Co-Curriculum placement at Kilmer Center, her mom Jen Evers ’91 loved hearing about Julia’s experience and the lessons she was learning along the way. This reminded her of the meaningful time she had volunteering at Kilmer two decades earlier. Jen credits her time at Kilmer with leading her into the education field. “My time at Kilmer kick-started what has now been a decades-long career in education,” she shared. “It ignited a spark to explore what great teaching and school leadership look like and how we can create learning environments that serve all students.”

What did you like best about volunteering at Kilmer Center?

Julia Shakeshaft ’26: Working at Kilmer Center was such an amazing experience! I love how close I got with the students and the impact we had on each other’s lives. I loved helping them learn and seeing how excited they were when they finally understood something! The connections I made with both the students and the teachers at Kilmer were so amazing. I felt so valued by the teachers and welcomed by the students every day.

Jen Evers ’91: I loved how welcoming and warm the students were and how quickly I was able to form connections. I enjoyed working one-on-one with kids and helping them progress in a certain skill—it was incredibly rewarding to celebrate their success when they achieved a goal. I also really appreciated learning from educators and earning their trust—it was one of the first times I felt like adults took me seriously and believed I could make a difference.

What did you gain from working at Kilmer Center?

Julia ’26: Working at Kilmer gave me a new perspective on learning and independence. At Kilmer, all progress is celebrated, and it’s awesome to see what happens when someone feels safe and valued. Learning to celebrate all accomplishments and that no accomplishment is too small has impacted me tremendously. I also learned about myself and how to work independently. The teachers gave me a say in the learning process. I was able to help the students more because they trusted me.

Jen ’91: Working at Kilmer was an incredibly powerful experience. It made me realize that, no matter their abilities, kids learn best in environments where they feel safe, seen, and heard. Kilmer does an extraordinary job of providing an education that meets kids where they are and never makes them feel “othered.”

How were your experiences similar and how were they different?

Julia ’26: I think we both came away from our experiences with a heightened awareness of the challenges differently-abled people face in this country and a desire to work as an advocate for change.

Jen ’91: I’m so glad that Julia had the opportunity to go to Kilmer every day for five weeks whereas I only went a few times over several months. She was able to build even stronger relationships with students and demonstrate that she was capable of taking on increased responsibilities. I also really appreciated the fact that she was actively reflecting on her experience back at Madeira and thinking about what it means to be in service to others.