LBN Alumni Interview: Teson Lui
Source: Unsplash (@northfolk)
Recently, we had the honour of speaking to a former LBN volunteer, Teson Lui. During the conversation, we had the chance to learn more about his past experiences with LBN and how they helped to shape his future endeavours. Thank you, Teson, for your participation in the interview!
A little bit about Teson, and how he got started with LBN!
Teson is currently a student going into his third year studying accounting and finance. He was first introduced to Learning Buddies Network in 10th grade by a poster hung up in his school and saw it as a great opportunity for him, like many others, to begin gaining volunteer hours while helping kids in the Lower Mainland with their reading and math skills. As such, Teson joined LBN as a volunteer in the Recruitment and Engagement Team (RET). For him, this was a “slightly different path than most through Learning Buddies,” who often start off as Mentors in the organization. After a year of volunteering for the RET, he became a Regional Coordinator.
Some of his interests and aspirations, and how they relate to LBN’s objectives and programs!
Although Teson did not have tutoring or event-planning experience before joining LBN, the opportunities within the organization sparked his interest in becoming more involved with the community and making a difference. These experiences led him to join the tutoring committee at his university, where he engaged with and tutored other students at his school. From LBN, he feels that he discovered an interest in community service, helping others with their academics, and contributing to their confidence. In his words, “That’s why I believe [that from] joining LBN, you can make such a huge difference that you may not even see yourself… in the moment you may think that you’re just helping them with their homework or you’re just helping them learn these letters or words or phrases, but you’re doing more than just that. You're really helping them develop… gain the confidence to be able to learn, and motivate them, which can go a really long way.”
What he has learned from working with LBN, and how it has helped him later on in school, his career, or other commitments.
Teson finds that communication and collaboration have been the most notable things he has learned from LBN, and used later on in life. When he first joined the RET, everything was still virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it more challenging to communicate and collaborate when planning and executing events. Despite this, he and the rest of the RET managed to collaborate with another team to execute a Financial Literacy Workshop for mentors. He also presented at a school virtual club fair alongside another one of his team members. Teson found that during these two projects, it was important to cooperate, actively share ideas, and understand each others’ perspectives. He finds that LBN “bring[s] so much diverse talent across the Lower Mainland… [or] even across [the country in] Toronto… the diversity is quite incredible.” Being a part of the Recruitment and Engagement Team has also allowed him to develop skills related to event planning and execution, and being able to think critically and strategically in order to best reach out to the community!
Now in university, when Teson works on group projects or within the tutoring committee, he uses skills involved in communication and teamwork. He also comments on the importance of being socially aware of different perspectives and backgrounds, as well as handling disagreements politely and professionally.
Another thing Teson has learned from LBN is the importance of accountability and responsibility. He reflects on his time at LBN, as it introduced him to “tak[ing] accountability and responsibility for his own work.” He expresses that a lot of the work that is done as a volunteer in an organization, such as LBN, directly impacts the community, especially in a mentor or leader role. Particularly as a Regional Coordinator, RET volunteer, or even as a mentor, there is freedom in how one communicates or tries to market to the broader community. Teson states, “Everything you say or do has an impact, and should be thoughtfully and responsibly done.”
Some notable memories he has, and things he has learned about himself along the way.
One of Teson’s most notable memories is the Canada Day event, in which he and the rest of the RET set up a booth at Sunset Community Center—one of their biggest in-person events of the year. “It required a lot of thoughtful planning,” he says, “and there was a lot of collaboration and ideas involved in executing the activities.” Teson felt it was appreciated by the community and was also very fun for both himself and those it was catered towards.
He learned the importance of reaching out and stepping into new and potentially uncomfortable situations. By being a Regional Coordinator and RET member, he learned about his ability to step out of his comfort zone, talk to different people, and enter new and unique situations. He learned that he can be effective and confident in new situations, and that has helped him in the years to come.
Advice Teson would give to future LBN volunteers, or someone unsure about volunteering with LBN.
Teson encourages others to be open-minded in seeking opportunities. When he first joined LBN, he was also somewhat reluctant, but he now sees Learning Buddies as “a great organization with great people.” Teson says the impact of volunteering is broader than just giving back to a child or reaching out to the community, because “you’re also making an impact on yourself.” It is empowering to give back and to be a part of something bigger than oneself. He expresses that it isn’t something that someone thinks about when they join an organization, or do community service, but as much as you're helping others, you’re also helping yourself.
Thank you to Teson for both participating in this Alumni Interview and also giving countless hours to LBN itself. We appreciate it greatly and wish you all the best for the future and journey ahead!