We are so excited to introduce you to this month’s AmeriCorps Member Spotlight, Rue Randall!

Rue brings passion, purpose, and a powerful vision to everything she does—from her role as a Teaching Assistant in the classroom to her journey as a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. With a heart rooted in service and a deep commitment to equity in education, Rue joined AmeriCorps to pour into the very communities that shaped her.

Her story is one of dedication, healing, and empowerment. Whether she’s guiding students through academic challenges or supporting their social-emotional growth, Rue leads with compassion and clarity—embodying the true spirit of servant leadership. And when she’s not mentoring or tutoring, you can find her immersed in video essays, building in The Sims 4, or practicing her faith through her vibrant Buddhist community.

Rue is a proud Atlantan who sees this city not just as a hometown, but as a network of connections, resilience, and legacy. We’re honored to celebrate her this month and can’t wait for you to get to know her story.

Learn more about Rue in our interview below!

Why did you join AmeriCorps?

I joined AmeriCorps because I had a knack for teaching and was ready to follow my dreams of working in the school system and giving back to my community. I wanted to provide quality, equitable education to students who look like me and are living through what I lived through growing up. When I found this program, I had just graduated from college and had taught in preschools throughout all four years of my studies. While I loved those years, there was a deep yearning inside me to come back, relive, and heal parts of myself and my experiences by returning to those spaces and embodying what it means to be a good teacher—someone who advocates for their students when they cannot advocate for themselves. AmeriCorps gave me that opportunity, and I ran with it!

What do you like most about working with your students?

I love seeing their faces light up when they answer a question correctly or overcome a specific learning challenge. I also love helping them navigate their social-emotional issues by building the necessary tools to live their lives honorably and judiciously.

What do you hope to gain from this experience?

I feel that I have already gained so much—both in what I was looking for and in unforeseen ways. However, I really hope to build a sense of community in the school where I am currently stationed.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully, in five years, I will have completed my doctorate in School Psychology and will be working either as a school psychologist or a principal in a Title I school. I also hope to have opened a community center that provides free mental and psychiatric healthcare, GED preparation, and parenting classes to marginalized communities (among many other services). Through this, I would be honoring my grandmother's legacy, as she ran a school of her own called the Nairobi College/Day School in East Palo Alto.

When you’re not mentoring/tutoring, what do you like to do for fun?

I play The Sims 4 or watch video essays on a variety of topics. I also love watching cartoons, partying, and spending time with my friends on the weekends. My Buddhist practice is also a big part of my free time, so I enjoy showing up at the center and volunteering as a byakuren or usher.

What do you love about Atlanta?

I love that, no matter what, somehow, some way, everyone seems to know each other. You may not know the person in front of you, but that person knows someone who knows someone who knows you—and I think that's really beautiful. I've known Atlanta my entire life. I have never lived anywhere else. So, I'm rooted here. This will forever be my home, and that's something I deeply love about Atlanta.

Are you interested in learning more about a year of service through the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program? Click here to see all the program benefits, what you’ll do and to start your application for the 2025-26 term.