I’ve been volunteering at Dwight Branch Library since junior year of high school and I wanted to continue my service there for my senior year capstone project. During June last year I met up with Mrs. Boutillier and discussed my capstone project and she absolutely loved it. Over summer break I kept contact with both of my mentors at Dwight Branch Library and told them that I was going to start attending there again after my soccer season. My mentors and the students were very excited that I was returning to the library. Going to the library every day and walking through those doors I always felt welcomed and loved by the students and librarians. Having a connection with the students and my mentors have caused a big influence in my life that I will always value.
Throughout my project, I have been on top of my things and staying on track. Being ahead of my class gave me a realization that I was really enjoying my capstone. I think that's what really motivated me to go above and beyond in my project. However, a obstacle that I face in the beginning of my capstone was I didn't start as soon as I wanted to due to me playing soccer in the beginning of the school year. However, I was able to manage my time and make a schedule with my mentors. Doing educational activities and crafts with them brought me closer to the elementary students. My learning stretch for my project was making lesson plans for them and I truly believe I did a great job. I found most of my ideas from Pinterest and also collaborating and discussing my ideas to my supervisor. Making my own programs for the kids was honestly fun for me because I enjoy doing artsy things and the fact that I was able to use my creativity and still manage to make it educational was amazing. I learned over time that some of my students aren’t always going to be fully engaged in the programs I do. However, learning this benefited me because I was able to learn more about their interest and gain more ideas from them and it turned out pretty well.
There were many English Learners who attended to the library and helping these children with their reading, writing, and language skills have truly caused a huge impact on my life. It has made me appreciate my education and knowledge. Having younger siblings who are English Learners gave me satisfaction to help children who go through the same experience that my younger siblings went through. Being bilingual and understanding what these children go through academically caused me to have a connection between these students. I remember being introduced to one girl who was in fifth grade and her reading level was the same as a second grader. She use to always tell me that she wishes she can speak and read well as me. I promised her by the end of my time at the library she will get better and she did. Many of the English learners at the library were in this position as well. I was able to witness their progress through my literacy activities and seeing them getting better was rewarding to see. Most of the literacy activities that I did was mostly book themed and crafts that influenced them to read such as making bookmarks and reading pointers. Most of the time when I did literacy activities I had to translate in Spanish when it came to instructions and after reading a book. I will never forget that moment when two English Learners thanked me for doing literacy activities because it allows them to understand more and most importantly learn more as well.
I’ve learned over time that many kids have a different pace when it comes to learning new things. I’ve experienced a lot of times where there were a couple of students weren’t as fast in certain areas than others. I was able to break groups down and focus on two or three students who worked at a slower pace. Giving these children one on one time benefited them because they were able to have additional assistance from me. A moment that really impacted me and made me realize that I was doing something good was when a student surprised me with a note card and her grandmother thanked me. I would never forget that precious moment when her grandmother pulled me to the side and told me that I was doing something good and not a lot of kids my age have the courage to serve for their community. She also thanked me every day for helping her granddaughter with homework since she doesn’t know how to read or write English. Hearing those words and receiving that note card made me realized that I am really making a change and causing a huge impact in these students lives.
Working with children has really benefited me due to my interest in becoming a clinical child psychologist in the future. It gave me an insight into what it’s like to be working with kids and understand them more. When I did crafts with the students I will always show pictures to my family, teachers, and friends of my students work. They will always tell me I should study in education and there were times where I did reconsider pursuing in that field. However, I still have interest in studying Psychology and since I like being around kids and doing arts and crafts I thought what better way to collaborate these interests by becoming a clinical child psychologist and an art therapist as well.
Overall, attending to Dwight Branch library has really shaped me as a person that I am today. Through all the challenges that I experience during my journey has not put me down but made me stronger and motivated to push through and thrive for more. Working with these children and coming out of my comfort zone has really shown me that anything is possible and I can do whatever my heart desires. The children at the library really appreciated my companionship and I fully bonded with each one of them. I developed a strong relationship with my mentors and they have been very supportive with my service and my senior year as well. When my days were ending at the library it was really hard for me to let go of my students. I knew that someday I was going to leave but I never imagine it will happen fast. I will always be proud of my service and throughout my whole experience I didn’t only consider it as giving back to my community I took it as a consideration that I was changing these children lives and for that, I will always cherish and be proud of.
Throughout my project, I have been on top of my things and staying on track. Being ahead of my class gave me a realization that I was really enjoying my capstone. I think that's what really motivated me to go above and beyond in my project. However, a obstacle that I face in the beginning of my capstone was I didn't start as soon as I wanted to due to me playing soccer in the beginning of the school year. However, I was able to manage my time and make a schedule with my mentors. Doing educational activities and crafts with them brought me closer to the elementary students. My learning stretch for my project was making lesson plans for them and I truly believe I did a great job. I found most of my ideas from Pinterest and also collaborating and discussing my ideas to my supervisor. Making my own programs for the kids was honestly fun for me because I enjoy doing artsy things and the fact that I was able to use my creativity and still manage to make it educational was amazing. I learned over time that some of my students aren’t always going to be fully engaged in the programs I do. However, learning this benefited me because I was able to learn more about their interest and gain more ideas from them and it turned out pretty well.
There were many English Learners who attended to the library and helping these children with their reading, writing, and language skills have truly caused a huge impact on my life. It has made me appreciate my education and knowledge. Having younger siblings who are English Learners gave me satisfaction to help children who go through the same experience that my younger siblings went through. Being bilingual and understanding what these children go through academically caused me to have a connection between these students. I remember being introduced to one girl who was in fifth grade and her reading level was the same as a second grader. She use to always tell me that she wishes she can speak and read well as me. I promised her by the end of my time at the library she will get better and she did. Many of the English learners at the library were in this position as well. I was able to witness their progress through my literacy activities and seeing them getting better was rewarding to see. Most of the literacy activities that I did was mostly book themed and crafts that influenced them to read such as making bookmarks and reading pointers. Most of the time when I did literacy activities I had to translate in Spanish when it came to instructions and after reading a book. I will never forget that moment when two English Learners thanked me for doing literacy activities because it allows them to understand more and most importantly learn more as well.
I’ve learned over time that many kids have a different pace when it comes to learning new things. I’ve experienced a lot of times where there were a couple of students weren’t as fast in certain areas than others. I was able to break groups down and focus on two or three students who worked at a slower pace. Giving these children one on one time benefited them because they were able to have additional assistance from me. A moment that really impacted me and made me realize that I was doing something good was when a student surprised me with a note card and her grandmother thanked me. I would never forget that precious moment when her grandmother pulled me to the side and told me that I was doing something good and not a lot of kids my age have the courage to serve for their community. She also thanked me every day for helping her granddaughter with homework since she doesn’t know how to read or write English. Hearing those words and receiving that note card made me realized that I am really making a change and causing a huge impact in these students lives.
Working with children has really benefited me due to my interest in becoming a clinical child psychologist in the future. It gave me an insight into what it’s like to be working with kids and understand them more. When I did crafts with the students I will always show pictures to my family, teachers, and friends of my students work. They will always tell me I should study in education and there were times where I did reconsider pursuing in that field. However, I still have interest in studying Psychology and since I like being around kids and doing arts and crafts I thought what better way to collaborate these interests by becoming a clinical child psychologist and an art therapist as well.
Overall, attending to Dwight Branch library has really shaped me as a person that I am today. Through all the challenges that I experience during my journey has not put me down but made me stronger and motivated to push through and thrive for more. Working with these children and coming out of my comfort zone has really shown me that anything is possible and I can do whatever my heart desires. The children at the library really appreciated my companionship and I fully bonded with each one of them. I developed a strong relationship with my mentors and they have been very supportive with my service and my senior year as well. When my days were ending at the library it was really hard for me to let go of my students. I knew that someday I was going to leave but I never imagine it will happen fast. I will always be proud of my service and throughout my whole experience I didn’t only consider it as giving back to my community I took it as a consideration that I was changing these children lives and for that, I will always cherish and be proud of.