Always be aware of the wealth of resources you have around you -- and use them when you can!
I was stuck, and HATING Tuesdays. Those are the days I stay after school with 14 girls in grades 3-5 for an hour and make sure they get their homework finished. At the end of the hour some high school girls come and spend an hour with them, as part of the Big Sisters program. (It's from Big Brothers Big Sisters, but we only utilize the Sister part.)
This ritual started in October, after I had been at the school only 1 month, with no formal training on how to handle a group of 9-11 year olds. (Keep in mind, I work with only K and 1st grade all day, everyday.) The hour would consist of super-chatty girls that talked back to me, didn't get their homework done, and found lots of ways to waste time. There was no respect or real discipline to be had, since there was a lack of structure.
I was frustrated and I knew it didn't have to be that way. Luckily, I was able to vent my frustrations over dinner with a gentleman named Mike, another Notre Dame-AmeriCorps member from Dayton, Ohio. His specialty was working with kids in the same age range as those in my Big Sisters program and he gave me a lot of insight and a new perspective on a couple of things that had happened to me over the past few months.
When I got back to Cincinnati, I stayed a little later in the teacher's lounge to talk to the higher grade teachers and ask their advice. They gave me a couple ideas I could try and this Tuesday I went in armed and ready. I had my list of rules for the hour, new seating chart and all. Before we even went to the cafeteria I told them 'this is how it's going to be'. If the rules were broken, they would lose 5 minutes with their Big Sister because, after all, participating in the program is a privilege, not a right, and they should not be rewarded for disrespecting an adult for one full hour.
It must have gotten through to them because that was the quietest (and easiest) Tuesday for me yet this year. They sat in their assigned seats, did their homework, were respectful to me and each other, and hey, it even seemed to change their demeanor for the second hour with their Big Sisters. They were quieter, calmer, and seemed to have valuable conversations with their Big Sisters instead of being loud and somewhat out of control.
It was a great challenge for me to put down my foot like that and demand results from the students, but it really felt good to not have to argue and have a power struggle for an hour. It's really a win-win: They can be more focused on their homework so they have less (or none) to do at home later, and I can go home feeling more relaxed and less on-edge.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
NDA Conference Thoughts
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 9:12am
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. -Gandhi
That was one of the many quotes from our AmeriCorps conference yesterday that stuck with me. We listened to a couple Notre Dame Sisters and a Congressman from Maryland, Elijah Cummings. His speech was about his journey from special ed in elementary school to law school and then becoming a Congressman. It was very inspiring and he had quite a few words of advice for educators like us at Notre Dame AmeriCorps. He really had a lot of positive energy and his delivery was much like that of a preacher - which even got a few responses from the audience.
Some of the thoughts he left me with were the following:
"Never mistake a comma for a period." Even if you get what you've dreamed about, there could still be more to life. More to achieve, more to learn, more to teach, etc.
This other thing he said seemed to me to be so true: We have a culture of mediocrity. When something is tough in college, we just stay away from it and do something easier. What we should do is strive for excellence instead and tackle any challenges that come our way.
"Plan for success"
"Know yourself and be true to yourself."
A lot of people think that it takes a group to make a change or start something. But it only takes one person + commitment and dedication.
Now that you've read Elijah's words: "Store THAT in your DNA!"
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. -Gandhi
That was one of the many quotes from our AmeriCorps conference yesterday that stuck with me. We listened to a couple Notre Dame Sisters and a Congressman from Maryland, Elijah Cummings. His speech was about his journey from special ed in elementary school to law school and then becoming a Congressman. It was very inspiring and he had quite a few words of advice for educators like us at Notre Dame AmeriCorps. He really had a lot of positive energy and his delivery was much like that of a preacher - which even got a few responses from the audience.
Some of the thoughts he left me with were the following:
"Never mistake a comma for a period." Even if you get what you've dreamed about, there could still be more to life. More to achieve, more to learn, more to teach, etc.
This other thing he said seemed to me to be so true: We have a culture of mediocrity. When something is tough in college, we just stay away from it and do something easier. What we should do is strive for excellence instead and tackle any challenges that come our way.
"Plan for success"
"Know yourself and be true to yourself."
A lot of people think that it takes a group to make a change or start something. But it only takes one person + commitment and dedication.
Now that you've read Elijah's words: "Store THAT in your DNA!"
Notre Dame-AmeriCorps National Conference
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 12:18am
Today was such an emotionally charged day. I've been in a bit of a rut lately, trying to figure out what to do next in life, not sure what I else I can get from and give to my service site, etc. And today I learned a bit about other people's service experiences and I was blown away. It was as if some of them were talking directly to me and knew what I was thinking, even though they were talking to all 300+ of us. Some of the things I heard made me think about a second year with AmeriCorps in a different way: as an opportunity to do better and so much more the second time around. I'll have to post a few of the thoughts I was left with after our keynote speakers left the podium... But now I must get some rest.
Today was such an emotionally charged day. I've been in a bit of a rut lately, trying to figure out what to do next in life, not sure what I else I can get from and give to my service site, etc. And today I learned a bit about other people's service experiences and I was blown away. It was as if some of them were talking directly to me and knew what I was thinking, even though they were talking to all 300+ of us. Some of the things I heard made me think about a second year with AmeriCorps in a different way: as an opportunity to do better and so much more the second time around. I'll have to post a few of the thoughts I was left with after our keynote speakers left the podium... But now I must get some rest.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
My Year of Service - #5
My Service Site, NDMV-AmeriCorps Family, Other Volunteering, and Settling In
My Service Site:
After about 3 months at my service site, I've finally gotten the swing of things.. Well, sort of. It never ceases to amaze me how each day is so different from the last when you work with children.
I've been learning a lot about the many situations they have at home - parents going through divorce, living with grandparents, etc. and the effect they can have on the children's moods and behaviors. I always knew I was lucky to have a healthy home and family environment, but this experience is making sure I remember it.
I'm also learning a lot, but one thing that I have yet to figure out is why some children feel the need to lie a lot of the time. If I go back to school at the end of my year with AmeriCorps, I feel like I'll have a million questions like this one to ask of my future Early Childhood Development professor.
My elementary school (site) has had quite a few special, and memorable, days this year and I'd like to take a moment to reflect on them. One day, I assisted the school nurse on a 'field trip' of sorts to the Museum Center with about 15 students from all the grades (K-8). Earlier in the year, some people came to our school to do some preliminary eye exam to see if any students needed glasses. They determined that these 15 students needed glasses and we took them on this trip to get their eyes tested further and pick out some glasses. The most amazing part of this day was that everything was free for the students - from my school and several schools throughout the city - including the pair of glasses that they will be receiving shortly.
More recently, we took Preschool-4th grade to a local high school that had an entire day of Christmas fun planned out. There must have been hundreds of parents and volunteers there that day to make sure everything went smoothly, not to mention the students of that school! First, we had a Christmas Mass in the school's gym, where each younger student participated side-by-side with their big buddy from the high school, carrying a beautiful poinsettia plant up to the altar. Then, they provided pizza, drinks, and desserts for everyone! After lunch, everyone headed to another part of the building where a festival of games, face-painting, and other activities were. The kids even got to meet Santa with their big buddies and they received a personalized gift from Santa (and their big buddy). I've never seen so many smiling faces!!
I must say, seeing such a successful volunteer-run event like that really lifts my spirits.
My NDMV-AmeriCorps Family:
Each week I meet with the 18 Notre Dame Mission Volunteers-AmeriCorps members at a central location. The meetings really bring together the whole 'year-of-service' experience in the way that we have each other to lean on and ask advice of, etc. Not to mention the great things we learn from each other.
So far we have visited a couple service sites and met with some of the people that our fellow members work with and we will be visiting all the sites by the end of our year. Some meetings we get to know each other and ourselves better through presentations given by our fellow members on various subjects. We also take some time every month to have a piece of cake and celebrate the birthdays of our fellow members.
My Other Volunteering:
In order to ensure that I reach 1700 volunteering hours by the end of my year of service, I try to volunteer at places other than my service site when I can. I have helped out at a Power Inspires Progress Brunch, a day of Bingo Bonanza that raises money for my school, 2 health fairs put on by one of my fellow NDMVA member's service site, and even once a week at an art school for autistic individuals. If anything, I can say that this year's experiences are well-rounded.
Settling In:
I'm very happy to say that I can finally get around most of downtown and out to the southeastern suburbs without my GPS! I'm learning to love the local market and I go there when I can. It took about 3 months, but I finally went on my first hike with the Tri-State Hiking Club this week and I made a new friend.
Overall, I'm definitely feeling the tight budget, but I think I may be the happiest I've ever been. This experience is invaluable and I'm learning a lot about myself. :)
My Service Site:
After about 3 months at my service site, I've finally gotten the swing of things.. Well, sort of. It never ceases to amaze me how each day is so different from the last when you work with children.
I've been learning a lot about the many situations they have at home - parents going through divorce, living with grandparents, etc. and the effect they can have on the children's moods and behaviors. I always knew I was lucky to have a healthy home and family environment, but this experience is making sure I remember it.
I'm also learning a lot, but one thing that I have yet to figure out is why some children feel the need to lie a lot of the time. If I go back to school at the end of my year with AmeriCorps, I feel like I'll have a million questions like this one to ask of my future Early Childhood Development professor.
My elementary school (site) has had quite a few special, and memorable, days this year and I'd like to take a moment to reflect on them. One day, I assisted the school nurse on a 'field trip' of sorts to the Museum Center with about 15 students from all the grades (K-8). Earlier in the year, some people came to our school to do some preliminary eye exam to see if any students needed glasses. They determined that these 15 students needed glasses and we took them on this trip to get their eyes tested further and pick out some glasses. The most amazing part of this day was that everything was free for the students - from my school and several schools throughout the city - including the pair of glasses that they will be receiving shortly.
More recently, we took Preschool-4th grade to a local high school that had an entire day of Christmas fun planned out. There must have been hundreds of parents and volunteers there that day to make sure everything went smoothly, not to mention the students of that school! First, we had a Christmas Mass in the school's gym, where each younger student participated side-by-side with their big buddy from the high school, carrying a beautiful poinsettia plant up to the altar. Then, they provided pizza, drinks, and desserts for everyone! After lunch, everyone headed to another part of the building where a festival of games, face-painting, and other activities were. The kids even got to meet Santa with their big buddies and they received a personalized gift from Santa (and their big buddy). I've never seen so many smiling faces!!
I must say, seeing such a successful volunteer-run event like that really lifts my spirits.
My NDMV-AmeriCorps Family:
Each week I meet with the 18 Notre Dame Mission Volunteers-AmeriCorps members at a central location. The meetings really bring together the whole 'year-of-service' experience in the way that we have each other to lean on and ask advice of, etc. Not to mention the great things we learn from each other.
So far we have visited a couple service sites and met with some of the people that our fellow members work with and we will be visiting all the sites by the end of our year. Some meetings we get to know each other and ourselves better through presentations given by our fellow members on various subjects. We also take some time every month to have a piece of cake and celebrate the birthdays of our fellow members.
My Other Volunteering:
In order to ensure that I reach 1700 volunteering hours by the end of my year of service, I try to volunteer at places other than my service site when I can. I have helped out at a Power Inspires Progress Brunch, a day of Bingo Bonanza that raises money for my school, 2 health fairs put on by one of my fellow NDMVA member's service site, and even once a week at an art school for autistic individuals. If anything, I can say that this year's experiences are well-rounded.
Settling In:
I'm very happy to say that I can finally get around most of downtown and out to the southeastern suburbs without my GPS! I'm learning to love the local market and I go there when I can. It took about 3 months, but I finally went on my first hike with the Tri-State Hiking Club this week and I made a new friend.
Overall, I'm definitely feeling the tight budget, but I think I may be the happiest I've ever been. This experience is invaluable and I'm learning a lot about myself. :)
Monday, September 28, 2009
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