Stories from Boston, MA
Abby - NDMVA 2009-2010
Youth to Youth Tutoring: After school Program
Laboure Center
I think that all of my students had accomplishments or breakthroughs during the year. Through the course of the year, I saw each student strive at different moment and make small and large breakthroughs. One specific child refused to do his homework every day for about the first two months of the program. He was very distracted during tutoring time and would stall starting his homework to the point he would not have time to complete it at all. Heather and I worked with him constantly to try and refocus him to sit down and work on his homework. After about two months, he began to start on some of his homework. He would complete one page, which was a major accomplishment. Around March and April, he began to do his homework consistently. He would seek out Heather or myself and ask for assistance on his homework. Often he would become frustrated if he did not understand the homework, but he would work through his frustration and continue to work on his work. By the end of the year, he was completing his homework daily. His teacher even sent a note talking about his improved homework completion and how much dedication he was showing to complete his work. I loved seeing the transformation and how he was proud of his school work by the end of the year!
* * *
Family Fun Days are a large part of our program and a large part of the family engagement we are working to increase in the program. Our final Family Fun Day was a graduation and talent show. We had a potluck lunch where families brought delicious food to share with the group. We awarded each child with an academic award and a social superlative award. We also recognized our sixth grade students who are graduating from the program this year. We hosted a talent show, which included acts such as jumping rope, acting, and magic tricks. The kids were so proud to show off their talents they had been practicing for 2 weeks prior. The parents were also extremely proud of their children and all of the hard work they had do throughout the year. It was amazing to have so many family members attend the graduation. In comparison to years past (from what I hear from Heather), this year the parents have been much more involved and engaged in the program.
Kerri - NDMVA 2008-2009; 2009-2010
ESOL Teacher
Notre Dame Education Center
This month, NDEC celebrated “Notre Dame Education Center Story Hour." I was fortunate to have been asked to coordinate the planning committee with the help of my fellow AmeriCorps volunteer. I found the task daunting at first with the added hours and stress of planning a celebration for over 200 students and staff. Although I was hesitant at first, after the initial meetings with the committee I knew I was mistaken. Everyone was more than willing to help, and did a wonderful job in taking initiative to make the day run smoothly. I was very fortunate to have such a great committee, and I learned a lot from being in a leadership role.
The day itself was a great success! Students from ESOL, literacy and GED participated and shared stories about their lives. Story topics varied from ‘cultural traditions’ to ‘an inspirational person in my life is…’. I loved learning more about our students and gaining more perspective on who they are and where they come from. From the speakers to the audience, each person involved helped to make the day truly remarkable. I was proud to have been involved in the planning process for NDEC story hour and I am glad to have helped in creating an opportunity for students to express themselves and to share a part of their lives with our community.
Jocelyn - NDMVA 2009-2010
GED Prep Teacher
Notre Dame Education Center
Just recently, we had our first GED evening student of this academic year to pass her GED. I feel as though this is an accomplishment for me as well because I am her lead teacher. It is such a good feeling to know that the students, whom I have been teaching all year, are now reaching their goal of obtaining a GED. I am also excited for graduation because NDEC plans a wonderful ceremony for all of our graduates.
Elizabeth - NDMVA 2009-2010
ESOL Teacher
Notre Dame Education Center
May was a month of revelations. As the school year began to wind down, it became clearer how much of an impact I’ve made on the lives of the people I serve. I’m not talking about an obvious or impressive impact; rather, it was simple things – things that would perhaps have been imperceptible to an outsider. As a teacher, I took great pride and pleasure in the progress my students have made with their English. It has been so rewarding to step back and realize the individual accomplishments of each student; I can see the boost in confidence, feel the comfortable community atmosphere developed by a year of hard work towards a similar goal, and hear the improvement in conversation skills. My students are aware of their progress, but rather than congratulate themselves for their perseverance and patient efforts, they attribute so much to me. Not a day goes by without a “You encourage me, teacher!”, “I understand because you help me!” or some other expression of gratitude and praise. They have made it clear that they appreciate my teaching methods and friendly manners, and some go so far as to say they have never and will never have a better teacher. I’m so deeply flattered by their recognition. Especially because they have no idea how much I have in turn learned from them.
In testament to their great strides in English fluency and confidence, I would like to share an example discussion my upper level class had recently—in which I barely even facilitated, and instead sat by in pleased awe. The discussion was prompted by a selection of quotes from a wonderful book by Eckhart Tolle, called Guardians of Being. In the book, Tolle condenses his philosophies about living in the present moment into small quotes, accompanied by wonderful illustrations featuring animals. I offered a few of these quotes to my students to analyze and then talk about. They loved the quotes, all of which concerned living in the present moment, not worrying about the past or future, and finding true joy in simple things like nature and animals. They really identified with the pictures and quotes, sharing their own frustrations with a busy lifestyle, negativity, and the unfortunate influence of others’ emotions on our own moods. I was astounded by the depth of the discussion and their ability to convey such meaningful ideas in English. I was taking notes for my own edification!
The most personal revelation came in reflecting upon my students and the unique stories and talents each brings to our classroom community. I have grown to love these people. They are dear friends, full of life and wisdom. They inspire me daily with their strength, determination and humor. They have taught me to love teaching. It hasn’t been an easy year; developing my own teaching style took a great deal of time and patience, and above all, motivation. I don’t know if I would have been half as motivated if less endearing students had been depending upon me. That is not meant to sound prejudiced or callous. It’s just remarkable to consider the great blessing that the combination of these students and my intro to teaching has been. Because of them, I hope to continue teaching and sharing in the daily struggles and joys of others. In doing so, I know I’ll find fulfillment.
Rachael - NDMVA 2009-2010
Biology and Chemistry Teacher
Elizabeth Seton Academy
This month has been bittersweet for my AmeriCorps experience. School ended the second week of June, which is exciting because it means I’m free of papers to grade, tests to write, behavioral issues to deal with and off topic questions to avoid. However being free of all these things also means I am student free, which I’m not enjoying as much as I would have thought. I didn’t realize how large a place in my life these girls held until it was time to say goodbye to them. I’ve watched them struggle through their classes and home lives this year, I’ve watched them fail and succeed at many tasks. I’ve been frustrated and disheartened by their lack of motivation, bad attitudes and failure to do homework yet at the same time I cannot fail to be amazed by everything these girls do both in and out of school, and how talented they can all be, especially when they put forth their best effort. I’m also continually amazed by the friendship and camaraderie that exists at Elizabeth Seton Academy. Every one of my girls would do anything for anyone in their ESA family, including myself.
For the last month they’ve whined about my leaving, and frankly made me feel like a pretty bad person for not sticking around longer. I did frog dissection in my biology class and a freshman student asked me if we would do that next year in her biology class and was rather distraught when I told her it depended on who she had for a teacher next year. The freshmen are disappointed I won’t be teaching them next year, and I’m disappointed I won’t have the chance to get to know another amazing group of students.
This year I’ve frequently felt like an unqualified and incompetent teacher but my students’ comments at the end of the year made me realize it doesn’t really matter; all that they need is someone who will be there for them both in and out of school. I wrote each of my students an individualized thank you note on their last day of class and in return I received 54 hugs and “We’ll miss you Miss Barker”s. My entire white board was covered with notes from them, even those “trouble” students who I assumed strongly disliked me said goodbye. I have the opportunity to work with a few students over the summer as part of an AP Bio prep course, and I’m very glad I still get to listen to their chatter and spend time with them over the summer.
Read about our service opportunities in Boston.
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers - Americorps
403 Markland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21212
Phone:(410) 532-6864 - Fax: (410) 532-2418
