#CentronShorts: The Stories Behind the Shots

If you were given the opportunity to follow a dream, would you? This Centron was able to fulfill her life's calling and teach children, both at home and abroad. Check out the latest edition of #CentronShorts below to hear this incredible story. In these brief accounts, we'll give you a new look into the lives of the Centrons, in ways never before seen. And just so we are clear: no selfie sticks. Please enjoy!

#CentronShorts: The Stories Behind the Shots Marcellus and I By Chris Bailey @cebailey22 I’ve always had the urge to teach. Whether it be teaching my three younger sisters or explaining a new system in yesterday’s meeting, I enjoy helping others learn new things. For one reason or another, my academic interests drew me to the world of advertising, not teaching. And while advertising internships came and went during college, I could still hear my inner teacher calling out. To answer this call, I spent a full year abroad after college to teach English. I was the Native English Teacher at Bugok Middle School in Bucheon, South Korea. Sharing American culture and English with all 250 Korean students was the experience of a lifetime. It brought me so much joy to see the students learning and growing with me. When the experience came to an end, I found myself back in a profession I love, adtech. Rewarding in different ways, I cherish my time at Centro for the professional experience as well as the company’s culture. A big part of that culture includes Centro’s philanthropic arm, The Giving Tree, which has given me the chance to pursue more teaching opportunities. This past year The Giving Tree partnered with Innovations for Learning’s TutorMate program. I had the opportunity to hold weekly tutoring sessions with Marcellus (pictured) remotely from Centro’s Chicago office for 7 months. Marcellus is a rambunctious 7 year old who loves making the people around him laugh. We both looked forward to our time together, where we focused on his literacy skills by reading stories and playing games. At the end of the school year, all of the Centron tutors made a trip to finally meet the children we’d been working with all year. The room was filled with happiness and gratitude as we all connected with the kids we got to know over skype calls and screen shares. I was able to get that same teachers’ joy back through the program that Centro made possible.

A photo posted by Centro Inc. (@centro_inc) on Jan 15, 2016 at 9:55am PST