Carolyn Parsons is a volunteer who has worked with BIIN since Spring 2024. She assists with the English Second Language (ESL) courses in the morning where she helps students learn new vocabulary and work with them on their pronunciation. In particular, she loves playing games with the students to help them improve their listening comprehension and speaking skills through fun activities.

Before volunteering with BIIN, Carolyn was an elementary school teacher. She taught in Angleton, Texas for 22 years, where she primarily instructed second grade students but has also taught all the way up to eighth grade. Carolyn now uses her teaching skills to help at BIIN, and her time and dedication continues to help improve the Bryan/College Station community. 

“I’m a retired teacher and I like the way it’s taught here – I like teaching people that want to learn, and the people that come here truly want to learn and are here voluntarily. And they want you to help them and they are very grateful and it’s fun,” she said of the morning classes. 

Originally born in Galveston, Carolyn is a native Texan who loves using her teaching skills to spread the message of acceptance through her work as a volunteer. She lived most of her life in Angleton, Texas and has now moved to Bryan. 

“When I was an elementary school teacher I liked teaching children and seeing their sense of accomplishment when they learn a new skill. That’s the best part about being a teacher,” she commented about her journey as an educator. 

Carolyn is heavily involved in her church where she gets in touch with her creative side by making thank you cards and greeting cards to raise money. In her free time, she also loves to garden and watch youtube videos of sermons. “I really like the message of love and acceptance,” she said.