TeachNest
Building Confidence for Volunteer Educators
Leticia Li
How can we ensure that university volunteers are truly prepared to meet the diverse needs of rural students before stepping into the classroom?
Many student volunteers ask themselves this question only after experiencing confusion, frustration, or disconnect during their first lessons. Leticia Li is driven to explore how well-designed preparation systems—rooted in context, student needs, and personal teaching goals—can help volunteers feel more equipped, confident, and responsive in real teaching situations.
“I thought I was ready—but the class felt out of control.” This wasn’t an isolated experience. Across interviews with university teaching volunteers, similar stories emerged: despite spending weeks preparing, many felt lost in the moment. They struggled with mismatched student levels, unfamiliar rural contexts, and an overwhelming sense of self-doubt. While their intentions were sincere, the lack of structured preparation, contextual understanding, and emotional support left them questioning their impact.
Leticia Li designed Nest, a confidence-building ecosystem that supports university volunteers before they ever step into the classroom. Nest offers three interconnected tools:
Nest Platform (Prepares with Purpose):
Nest Platform
A web-based preparation tool that helps volunteers understand school environments, generate lesson plans based on teaching goals and student profiles, and download ready-to-use materials—transforming planning from guesswork into a process of contextual alignment.
Nest Studio (Builds Through Practice):
Nest Studio
A simulation-based rehearsal system where volunteers roleplay real classroom challenges using guided cards and peer feedback—helping them develop classroom management skills and respond confidently to unexpected moments.
Nest Echo (Reflects for Growth):
Nest Echo Card
A journaling kit with emotion-tracking tools and skill-stacking cards that helps volunteers document daily teaching experiences, track growth, and develop a mindful reflective habit—turning moments of uncertainty into sources of strength.
Nest reimagines volunteer preparation as a deeply human, collaborative, and adaptive journey. Volunteers who used the system said they felt “more grounded,” “better prepared to face the unexpected,” and “more connected to the students they served.”
Leticia Li
Leticia is a designer with roots in graphic design and a growing focus on education and social impact. She transforms abstract ideas into thoughtful tools—blending visual storytelling, empathy, and systems thinking to support learning, connection, and care in digital and physical spaces.
