Service Equals Learning

            Controlling thirty children in a classroom will either lead to a major increase or decrease in the dream of becoming a teacher.  I was able to take on this task through my service learning experiences.  The results lead me to one conclusion: I am destined to teach.  I thoroughly enjoyed the time that I spent at each of my service learning sites.  Through this opportunity, I was able to spend time with a kindergarten and seventh grade class, unique experiences that taught me new information on education.  I discovered many new pieces of information regarding myself, the students with whom I worked, and my future career through my rewarding and informative service learning experiences. 

            With anticipation and excitement I began my service learning in Ms. Chocolate’s* kindergarten classroom at Johnson Elementary.  The challenges I faced in and out of the classroom were very valuable. I was able to help out with many different tasks.  Throughout the day, I took the children out in small groups at various times to either make a craft, read a book, or take a test.  During one of my visits I assisted the students in painting pumpkins right before Halloween.  Their creations of these pumpkins varied widely, enabling me to see each of their diverse personalities expressed through simple artwork.  My interaction with the children in these small settings was the most rewarding part of my experience at Johnson Elementary.  I was able to grow to know each of the students individually, learn how the mind of a five year old works, and discover ways to keep the students on task.  When I would work with the teacher, Ms. Chocolate*, it was clear to see how sweet, honest, and innocent these kindergarten students were.  They constantly told Ms. Chocolate and I that we were gorgeous and that they loved us.  I now know how important it is for teachers to be a positive example and role model because these children admired Ms. Chocolate and me so much.

Graphic:  http://www.panola.edu

One of the most beneficial things that I learned at Johnson was related to classroom management. Ms. Chocolate had various ways to focus her classroom after the transition from one activity to another. To get her students to listen, she would shout a phrase, such as "pretzel everyone." Those magic words would cause the students to stop whatever activity they were doing, try to twist and fold their arms together, and focus on Ms. Chocolate. The pretzel was not her only technique; she also used "blow up the balloon," "fish lips," and many more. I had never seen anything so strange yet so effective. If I teach a younger age group, I will definitely use these same techniques. They were classroom management miracle workers.

Graphic: http://kidshealth.org

            I really enjoy working with Mr. Vanilla too.  Even though I was not able to teach a lesson, I talked to Mr. Vanilla about his teaching successes and failures.  He told me to be persistent in school, always come prepared to teach, and never put down a student publicly.  I gained a personal relationship with him because he treated me the same way that he treated his students: like a person.  When I came to visit, he would bring me candy and soda pop.  I knew that he wanted me to feel that he cared for me.  Through observation in the classroom, I realized that Mr. Vanilla knew that his job was not only to plug information into seventh grade brains, but also to relate to, care for, and esteem his students.

Graphic: http://www.teach3.org/images/CIRCLEMALETEACHER.GIF

Not only did I work in the classroom as part of my service learning, but I was also able to give to the community.  I assisted in a Craft Party at the Williams Campus Boys and Girls Club.  It was rewarding to spend time with these children.  Even though the sugar cookie decorating amused me, I learned of ways to enhance my future career.  Attending the Craft Party taught me about the different after school options for the children that I will be teaching.  I know that it is important for working parents to send their children to a safe and healthy environment after school.  The Boys and Girls Club is a great program for students of all economic upbringings, but it can be especially beneficial for families of lower socioeconomic backgrounds.  Knowing this will be a major benefit for me as an educator, so that I can be aware of activities available for my students.

Graphic: Personal Collection