I'm sad it's over...
Although my time with the students was just for about a month and a half, I
feel as though I bonded with all of them! It was an amazing experience working
with students from two completely different Title 1 schools. I was able to
partake in assessing the students, observe them in the classroom, interact with
parents, and have numerous conversations with the behavior coach.
The most difficult part of volunteering was when I had to observing. When
observing the students, I was not allowed to interact with the students AT ALL.
I had to sit back, take notes of everything I saw, and had to remember to
breath in and out. My patience was truly tested that day! Students were
standing on chairs, talking back to the teacher; talking white the teacher was
talking…basically doing anything possible to misbehave. Most of the students in
that class, I had in my senior internship class; they need guidance, support,
and structure. Without structure, the class gets nowhere. The students learn
quickly whom they can take advantage of and ways they can learn to disrupt the
class. Now, I don’t want to make to make it seem like it was all of the
students; out of 18 children, only 5 or 6 of the students were misbehaving, but
it still
was extremely difficult to just sit there and watch.
As a volunteer, I was able to participate in many activities I didn’t think
were possible. I attended 2 family nights, and even help with the organization
of a sponsored dinner. Title 1, schools usually hold dinners as family nights,
in order to motivate parents to attend. Parents and students are truly grateful
for all the hard work that goes into to preparing a family night and share
their appreciation.
I’ve truly had an amazing experience! I will take with me all the
strategies, behavioral techniques, and many conversations I’ve had with me to
my future classroom J
It’s been great!
-Jasmin
