"You must do that thing you think you cannot do.” I berate myself for my fear it’s too late I’m here in front of 30 young minds, it’s time they’re ready for me to cultivate to support to relate to help push them through. I step into the class, visions of winners, of champions, before me: let’s begin.
Read MoreGiving back to my community has been a major part of who I am and working with students has always given me joy. As an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow, I am given the chance to not only do a service for others, but also work with inner city youth. In my day-to-day, I get the opportunity to interact and build positive relationships with my students.
Read MoreDuring college, I had various opportunities to mentor students as a side activity from my academics. From coaching middle school students in rowing to working with high school students in math, or supporting college first-years in their student jobs, mentoring was a natural activity I didn’t realize it at the time. Once I did, after graduating school, I wanted to continue! I found that Citizen Schools had a great balance of mentoring students through activities and building academic skills.
Read MoreMy decision to become an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow was driven by a desire to serve in a tangible way. As a student at Wheaton College in suburban Chicago, I was an observer, and indeed, a participant in the segregation between the predominantly white and affluent suburb I resided in, and the economically disadvantaged and minority communities within Chicago.
Read MoreI found out about the Fellowship through my older brother, who served as both a TA and TF with Citizen Schools for 3 years in Chelsea and Dorchester. My first experience working in education came in my senior year of college at UMass Amherst, where I interned at the Amherst Middle School as part of my practicum.
Read MoreI decided to become an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow because I wanted to impact students by providing them with the tools that they need to succeed academically. During my primary education, I did not have the privilege of having a person to ensure that I was obtaining all the skills that I needed to flourish in my academics. I come from a family where my parents worked long hours, are not articulate English speakers, and therefore, was unable to support me with my academics.
Read MoreI decided to become an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow because of my passion for teaching. Before I enter the classroom fully I wanted to give back to my community. I chose to do service so that I can know what is needed and required in the classroom. Joining Citizen Schools was one of the best decisions I have made because although I have tough days, I know that I am becoming a better teacher in the process.
Read MoreMy decision to become an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow was an unexpected decision. I was always immersed in research whether it was assisting my professors in their own research or brainstorming ideas for a Fulbright or Watson study abroad experience. I imagined myself leaving Colby and pursuing research in Cultural Studies or exploring interests in Public and Community Health.
Read MoreI chose to be an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow because I wanted insight into the classroom experience before committing to a career in education. I also wanted to use my Spanish in a meaningful way. My hope was to learn and help as much possible without doing any greenhorn harm.
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