when i first decided to be a lasallian volunteer, it was only supposed to be for one year. my plan was to spend a year after college in the program and then move on to the next thing- whatever that was at the time! but as my first year as a volunteer progressed, it just seemed like there was more that i could do here and that leaving after only one year would almost feel like selling something short, or cheating, or missing out. sooooo much to my surprise, and im sure the surprise of many others, i decided to come back for a second year.
and now here i am, at just about the 3 month mark for round 2. how do i feel about my decision to stay? it was 100% right and where i need to be right now. is it different than last year? absolutely! even though i am doing the same work and interacting with many of the same students, life is much, much different. am i glad that i decided to come back for a second year? without a doubt!
i have talked with a few people about how the second year as an lv is so much different than the first. you actually go into situations having some sort of idea of what you are doing and you feel more comfortable and confident suggesting new things and proposing ideas. people might actually come to you to ask for help. and the relationships you began the year before are continuously developing and growing stronger.
and that is where i think the biggest challenge of being a second year volunteer comes up. at the end of the year you will be leaving. there isn't really the time you had during your first year where you were deciding if you will be back for another year. when students ask you if you are coming back next year, you already know the answer, but you have to wrestle with finding the delicate balance of telling them too early in the year or not being completely truthful with them.
being a volunteer puts you in the incredibly unique role of really immersing yourself in whats going on around you. particularity in the work that i do, which is after school support, i get to know the students i work with in a different way than their classroom teachers do. i play the part of tutor, listener, activity planner, group leader, and sometimes even counselor. i know what the strengths and weaknesses of our students are regarding their schoolwork, but i also know about their families, their friends, and what they like to do. i live right next door to where i work and walk about 3 steps to get to work each day, which can make it hard to separate what i do at work from what i do at home. but thats the nature of the beast, and in the long run, i think it makes me better at what i do.
so how have i been going about reconciling the struggle of knowing that at the end of the year these chapters of my life will be coming to a close and a new chapter will begin? and how do i react to students offering to pay me a salary to stay and work here? (if only! haha)
i try to remind myself that something is better than nothing. being here for two years has been a complete blessing in my life and i have to be thankful for that! there are too many good things that have happened in my time here to focus on the fact that i will be leaving in june. i have learned many things about myself, how to interact with students, and the education system. and ive even been inspired to pursue a career in education after my time here is complete- an interesting side effect i was NEVER expecting from this whole experience!
i know that the year is far from over and i still have lots of time here, but i also know its going to go fast! my current challenge is being sure to live in the here and now and not let the fact that i need to start preparing for next year distract me from all the good in my life here. i have LOTS of good memories and stories and artwork :) from everyone and everything in my life here and i am beyond thankful for that! :)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
stars and gripes
STARS
lots more stars than gripes- life is good! :)
- a very successful LV race weekend! it was nice to see everyone, the weather was great, and we got to connect with so many people in minneapolis. we are currently at 72% of our fundraising goal- help us get to 100% by donating HERE!
- the fact that there is no snow on the ground here
- tomorrow is halloween :)
- i got an interview with one of the teaching programs i applied to next year! so i am flying back to ny for a weekend in november- wish me luck!
- i have an appointment to get a hot stone massage this weekend- thanks groupon!
- its almost november, which means it is almost thanksgiving, which means it is almost time for me to visit stl
- i talked to almost all of my family members today
- its going to be raining when i go to bed tonight :)
- i am about to fold clothes- my favorite part of doing laundry!
- i am in no way, shape, or form prepared to go back to work tomorrow. i am, however, highly prepared to deal with a terrible case of the mondays
- getting an interview means i need to prepare and i dont have a ton of time to do that. free time will currently be spent finishing my portfolio and creating and practicing a 5 minute lesson
- my nook is dead and the charger is in my bedroom in connecticut
lots more stars than gripes- life is good! :)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
catching my breath
yes, i do realize it has been over a month since my last blog. and yes, i will once again apologize for not updating everyone on my very exciting life in so long. but things have been really busy lately and although it is a lame excuse, i really havent had much time/motivation to write much. but i finally have some time to catch my breath and devote a little bit of my day to writing.
it would be nearly impossible for me to fill you in on all the events and happenings of the last month, so instead, i am going to fill you in on some conclusions and thoughts i have had over the last month, which will hopefully give you a good idea of what i have been up to and how things are going!
i really love what i do.
it is true that working with kids can be really annoying and frustrating, but most of the time it is fun and i feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with the students who attend the center! the 99% of the time that they are making me laugh or telling me an over-exaggerated story makes up for the 1% of the time where they listen to nothing i say and refuse to do their homework. my time being a volunteer has been really formative for me and i am so thankful that i not only decided to join lasallian volunteers, but also decided to return to continue my volunteer experience for a second year. this year is much different than last and there are always new opportunities and challenges that arise in the work that i do. there have been many ups and downs throughout my time as a volunteer, but they have been well worth it! here is a video i made for a contest hosted by catholic volunteer network that asked, "why do you serve?". my video got chosen as the winner- an excellent surprise i received last week! :)
it would be nearly impossible for me to fill you in on all the events and happenings of the last month, so instead, i am going to fill you in on some conclusions and thoughts i have had over the last month, which will hopefully give you a good idea of what i have been up to and how things are going!
i really love what i do.
it is true that working with kids can be really annoying and frustrating, but most of the time it is fun and i feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with the students who attend the center! the 99% of the time that they are making me laugh or telling me an over-exaggerated story makes up for the 1% of the time where they listen to nothing i say and refuse to do their homework. my time being a volunteer has been really formative for me and i am so thankful that i not only decided to join lasallian volunteers, but also decided to return to continue my volunteer experience for a second year. this year is much different than last and there are always new opportunities and challenges that arise in the work that i do. there have been many ups and downs throughout my time as a volunteer, but they have been well worth it! here is a video i made for a contest hosted by catholic volunteer network that asked, "why do you serve?". my video got chosen as the winner- an excellent surprise i received last week! :)
i love having visitors!
at the end of september, my mom came to visit for a weekend, then zac, the lv coordinator of recruitment, and a former lv who served in racine were at our house for a few days, and then kimberly, the associate director for the lv program, came for our fall site visit. our house was a very popular place! but it was really great to have visitors and have the chance to share what we are doing with them. i am a big nerd and always get really excited when someone comes to visit so it was fun times for the end of september/beginning of october with all of our guests. now, we have no one lined up to come visit at all :( *hint, hint*
being in the present and planning for the future is hard to do!
over the past month, i have completed 3 applications for programs for next year. i have decided that i want to pursue my masters degree in teaching, which is most definitely a change! i have really been inspired by the work that i have done here and feel a little responsible to continue to contribute to the education world. so with that being said, i have applied to programs that will allow me to get my masters at a subsidized cost while teaching and getting paid- pretty good deal. at this point, im in the waiting phase of the application process, which in my opinion, can be the hardest part! hopefully by the end of the month i will hear back from at least one of them offering me an interview. i am definitely keeping my fingers crossed!
there are some amazingly generous people in the world.
a lot of my time recently has also been devoted to helping plan the lvs run fundraising event that is taking place over halloween weekend. we have been working to get all the details ironed out and everything set in place for our group of almost 60 people to be together for the weekend. it has been a bit challenging, but overall i have really enjoyed the process of helping to plan everything and hope that the weekend goes well! we are currently at 37% of our total fundraising goal of $52,000 and i am at 72% of my personal fundraising goal of $1000. if you want to donate, there is still time to do so- check it out here!
overall, life is good! busy, but busy with all good things, so no complaints from me :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
lvs run!
the lvs are running and fundraising again!
each year the lvs choose a race and use it as an opportunity to fundraise for our program. this year, we are traveling to minneapolis for the minneapolis monster dash on halloween weekend! i am really excited to be a part of this event and will participate in the 5k event to help raise money for the lasallian volunteers.
with that being said...i need your help! please consider donating whatever you can to help me reach my personal fundraising goal of $1000. i am already about half way there. a special thanks to all of those who have already donated! but if you want to help out, please know that any amount is GREATLY appreciated! and prayers help too! :)
you can donate by going to my personal fundraising page at https://lasallianvolunteers.myetap.org/fundraiser/lvsrunningscared/individual.do?participationRef=3889.0.147037203 or you can mail your donations (with my name in the checks memo line) to:
Hecker Center, Suite 300
3025 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
3025 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
below is a video that has some pictures and quotes from lvs who participated in last years fundraising event in memphis- enjoy! :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
you may not always end up where you are going...
"you may not always end up where you are going, but you will always end up where you are meant to be"
if you would have shared this quote with me one year ago i would have rolled my eyes, laughed at you, and responded with something sarcastic with an undertone of you must be kidding me.
a year later, i am the one sharing it with you and i think that is a great sign of transformation in who i am, what i believe, and where i feel called for my future!
there is no doubt in my mind that i am not the same person that i was when i began my journey as a lasallian volunteer last year. i would even argue that i am not the same person i was at the beginning of the summer. i like to think that the changes that are happening in the way i think and the things i value are positive changes. i am still me of course, but i am most definitely different.
i have seen a whole different side to the world of education and have worked with people who experience poverty on a daily basis. i have challenged myself to live a simpler lifestyle that helps me to better understand what is a need and what is want and how i can tell the difference between the two. i have grown in my faith and spirituality. i am more aware of social issues that surround people of specific cultures and economic status and find it easier to sympathize with people who experience those struggles. i am more patient and understanding with people who would have otherwise "rubbed me the wrong way". i am more flexible and dont allow one thing going the wrong way to ruin what has gone the right way. and ultimately, i have truly learned what it means to be resilient.
so different? yes, most definitely. better? maybe. im not so sure that i would go as far as saying that im a better person because of this experience, but i am most definitely thankful that i have had the chance to be part of it.
with all of this in mind, and with the thought in the back of my mind being a little bit along the lines of "so what happens after this year?", i have even seen a change in where i see myself heading in the future. and despite my previous resistance to working in the education field, i have decided that i want to pursue teaching for the future. completely crazy! definitely not where i was planning on going, but maybe its where im meant to be?!
i spent a lot of time this summer thinking about where i see myself going after my volunteer experience is over. i am still interested in public health and the advocacy that goes along with it, but i dont feel like i can just walk away from the work that i have been doing. i have seen how powerful education can be and how the education system that is in place has so many flaws and i feel somewhat responsible to help do something about it. for many of the students that we work with, the only chance that they have to better themselves is to get a good education. without an education, they are trapped in a place where they will spend the rest of their lives working a minimum wage job and struggle to make ends meet. and they are smarter than that! but without good teachers and people working in education who are committed to ensuring that all students get a quality education, they fall through the cracks and the cycle of poverty just keeps perpetuating itself.
so this is what i feel called to do. and i am actually really excited about it! i hope that this year will help me to learn even more about education and students and how i can potentially have a part in ensuring all students, even those who are often written off because of things they struggle with, have a chance at getting an education and bettering themselves. i feel like i can make bigger ripples by empowering students and helping realize their potential than i could doing something else. i want to be able to make a difference and i think this might be the best way for me to do that going forward.
so now what?! im looking into a couple different programs in nyc (sorry wisconsin!) that offer classroom experience and a masters degree and a salary (yayyyy!) all at the same time. they would all include working at inner city schools and i would end up getting my masters in education and my certification to teach. middle school science here i come?!? :)
if you would have shared this quote with me one year ago i would have rolled my eyes, laughed at you, and responded with something sarcastic with an undertone of you must be kidding me.
a year later, i am the one sharing it with you and i think that is a great sign of transformation in who i am, what i believe, and where i feel called for my future!
there is no doubt in my mind that i am not the same person that i was when i began my journey as a lasallian volunteer last year. i would even argue that i am not the same person i was at the beginning of the summer. i like to think that the changes that are happening in the way i think and the things i value are positive changes. i am still me of course, but i am most definitely different.
i have seen a whole different side to the world of education and have worked with people who experience poverty on a daily basis. i have challenged myself to live a simpler lifestyle that helps me to better understand what is a need and what is want and how i can tell the difference between the two. i have grown in my faith and spirituality. i am more aware of social issues that surround people of specific cultures and economic status and find it easier to sympathize with people who experience those struggles. i am more patient and understanding with people who would have otherwise "rubbed me the wrong way". i am more flexible and dont allow one thing going the wrong way to ruin what has gone the right way. and ultimately, i have truly learned what it means to be resilient.
so different? yes, most definitely. better? maybe. im not so sure that i would go as far as saying that im a better person because of this experience, but i am most definitely thankful that i have had the chance to be part of it.
with all of this in mind, and with the thought in the back of my mind being a little bit along the lines of "so what happens after this year?", i have even seen a change in where i see myself heading in the future. and despite my previous resistance to working in the education field, i have decided that i want to pursue teaching for the future. completely crazy! definitely not where i was planning on going, but maybe its where im meant to be?!
i spent a lot of time this summer thinking about where i see myself going after my volunteer experience is over. i am still interested in public health and the advocacy that goes along with it, but i dont feel like i can just walk away from the work that i have been doing. i have seen how powerful education can be and how the education system that is in place has so many flaws and i feel somewhat responsible to help do something about it. for many of the students that we work with, the only chance that they have to better themselves is to get a good education. without an education, they are trapped in a place where they will spend the rest of their lives working a minimum wage job and struggle to make ends meet. and they are smarter than that! but without good teachers and people working in education who are committed to ensuring that all students get a quality education, they fall through the cracks and the cycle of poverty just keeps perpetuating itself.
so this is what i feel called to do. and i am actually really excited about it! i hope that this year will help me to learn even more about education and students and how i can potentially have a part in ensuring all students, even those who are often written off because of things they struggle with, have a chance at getting an education and bettering themselves. i feel like i can make bigger ripples by empowering students and helping realize their potential than i could doing something else. i want to be able to make a difference and i think this might be the best way for me to do that going forward.
so now what?! im looking into a couple different programs in nyc (sorry wisconsin!) that offer classroom experience and a masters degree and a salary (yayyyy!) all at the same time. they would all include working at inner city schools and i would end up getting my masters in education and my certification to teach. middle school science here i come?!? :)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
back to basics
a VERY quick little update...
the first full week i was back in racine, the center hosted a "back to basics" camp for 20 middle school students. the mornings were spent reviewing basic skills in reading, math, and writing, and the afternoon was spent going on field trips and working with a program that lets the kids build and program their own robots- so fun! :)
i was able to teach the math part of the week, which was a good learning experience. we spent five days reviewing everything you would want to know (or could care less about) regarding fractions. i tried to make it fun so i hope it worked!
overall the kids were really great. it was nice to see some of the kids from last year and get to know some new students who may come to the center once school starts. it was definitely a nice way to start off round 2.
here are some pictures from the week. more updates coming soonnnnnn
the first full week i was back in racine, the center hosted a "back to basics" camp for 20 middle school students. the mornings were spent reviewing basic skills in reading, math, and writing, and the afternoon was spent going on field trips and working with a program that lets the kids build and program their own robots- so fun! :)
i was able to teach the math part of the week, which was a good learning experience. we spent five days reviewing everything you would want to know (or could care less about) regarding fractions. i tried to make it fun so i hope it worked!
overall the kids were really great. it was nice to see some of the kids from last year and get to know some new students who may come to the center once school starts. it was definitely a nice way to start off round 2.
here are some pictures from the week. more updates coming soonnnnnn
Sunday, August 21, 2011
racine, wisconsin...take two!
i'm back in the midwest! part of me still cant believe i am saying it, especially when i think about the beginning of my journey as a lasallian volunteer. but there is also a big part of me that is not the least bit surprised that i am back for another year of service after having experienced so many great things last year.
tomorrow we start our "back to basics" camp week with 20 middle school students. we are going to spend the mornings working with them on reading, math, and writing, and use the afternoons to take them on some trips and have them work with a technology group on building and programming robots- pretty cool! :)
i am responsible for creating and teaching the math lessons for the week so that should be a good experience to get me to challenge myself to plan lessons, see what goes well, what doesnt work, and practice teaching to a group of students instead of just working with the students in small groups or one on one.
nothing too terribly exciting to report yet. today i spent the afternoon at the beach until a GIANT cloud rolled in and ruined my fun :(
i am excited for this year to start! i really feel like i am able to better understand my purpose here when i am able to interact with the students. we have some new students coming for the camp and some who i worked with last year. regardless, i can assure you that my blogging will be much more frequent and interesting once i begin to hang out with them :) until then...adios amigos!
tomorrow we start our "back to basics" camp week with 20 middle school students. we are going to spend the mornings working with them on reading, math, and writing, and use the afternoons to take them on some trips and have them work with a technology group on building and programming robots- pretty cool! :)
i am responsible for creating and teaching the math lessons for the week so that should be a good experience to get me to challenge myself to plan lessons, see what goes well, what doesnt work, and practice teaching to a group of students instead of just working with the students in small groups or one on one.
nothing too terribly exciting to report yet. today i spent the afternoon at the beach until a GIANT cloud rolled in and ruined my fun :(
i am excited for this year to start! i really feel like i am able to better understand my purpose here when i am able to interact with the students. we have some new students coming for the camp and some who i worked with last year. regardless, i can assure you that my blogging will be much more frequent and interesting once i begin to hang out with them :) until then...adios amigos!
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