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At the height of online learning in September 2020, Raquel Harris wanted her seventh graders to be able to make connections to combat loneliness. Then an English language arts teacher at Culbreth Middle School, Raquel created a pen pal project, partnering with Dr. Donna Miller, the medical director at Carolina Meadows retirement community, and her ELA co-teacher, Linda Kroger. Students and residents at Carolina Meadows were able to send weekly emails back and forth with their pen pal over the course of eight months. “We saw this [increase] of children being able to feel seen and 68
chapelhillmagazine.com
Maya Lambert talks with Pam Rademacher.
November/December 2023
Norah Rosanbalm and Don Lauria.
Local high school students reunite with their pen pals in person
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Photography and words by Olivia Pa u l
seniors being able to feel heard, and it was this brilliant, beautiful thing,” Raquel says. The program continued throughout the 2021-22 school year, but the groups were unable to meet in person due to pandemic restrictions. When the pen pal students started high school during the 2022-23 school year, Raquel Harris, who followed them to Carrboro High School to teach English, wanted her students to be able to continue speaking with their pen pals. She asked Eileen Ferrell, volunteer manager at Carolina Meadows, if the residents were willing to “move” with her to high school to continue the project,