This week I completed the twenty hours of my service learning requirement. Reflecting back on my experiences at Windlake Academy, I have found that I have really made a positive impact on the students there and on myself. I have had an amazing opportunity to contribute to their education and I hope to be able to continue to be there next year. I am even planning on getting a bunch of stuff from the admissions office and take it there when I get back from break.
Finding out some of the backgrounds that these students face and the doors that this charter school is opening for them is truly amazing. Throughout the semester I have been working with three of the lowest performers in a sixth grade class in math. They were placed into a lower track but since they are still working on the concepts of math while the rest of class is still moving ahead, but they are still in the more advanced class. I have learned that one of them has never lived for more than two years in one place and another has family problems. I can now see how these students have had such a hard time achieving in school because they have so much other stuff going on in their lives. I was very proud of one of them when I was working with him on learning mixed numbers. I took a visual approach to teaching them about the subject by using tally marks. I became extremely excited when this particular student was able to understand the concept behind mixed numbers even while the other two students were not quite there.
Service learning has increased my knowledge of the world and given me a new thankfulness for what I have. I had a mom who is an educator and I never really faced the same challenges that these students are facing and will face. I now really see why programs like AVID are so necessary to ensuring that America has a well educated society.
I have felt similar to Gregory Michie when he describes his experiences in Chicago Public Schools. I have had similar challenges when trying to connect with the students that I work with, but I believe that I was still able to make a positive impact. One of my friends works with some students there in an after school program and told me that there are a few boys that look up to me which really makes me feel good. I hope that I am able to influence them to continue to be passionate about learning and maybe someday go to Marquette or another really good school.
I still plan to continue serving in some sort of capacity at Windlake Academy next semester, however in a somewhat reduced capacity as I will be taking 19 units. I feel a responsibility to the students to continue to help them achieve and help them build a passion for learning. I have learned a lot from these student about life and how to overcome challenges.
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