Today I came to class city from 3:05-4:05. For the first half, I was able to work in London's class where they were reading Edgar Allen Poe, one of my favorites. They watched a video of a reading of "The Raven" and then a satire video of The Simpsons and "The Raven". They explored ideas of imagery, themes, and elements of darkness and horror. Then, we all played Kahoot. After the day ended, I went into the after-school program but no one was really there so unfortunately I wasn't able to help that many students so I think going earlier in the day will be better so I can benefit the students more.
The structure of the school is very different. The more I go into the school and observe and mentor, the more I realize how different their school system and structure is compared to my own high school. Often time when I go to volunteer, different students are there and they seem to almost "come and go" as they please. Many times students are missing which makes me wonder what the school's attendance policy is and how flexible it is. I have passed the "halfway" mark with my hours and I am excited to continue tutoring and see what else I can observe and learn, all of which will guide me to becoming the best teacher I can be in the future.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Monday, April 1, 2019
Thursday, March 28, 2019
March 28, 2019: 1:00-2:00
Today I went to Jones class, but a little earlier than the time I usually do. I usually try to go around 2:00-3:00ish, which is when Mrs. Johns tells me she needs the most time. However, today I had to come in earlier than usual. Another girl in my class, a sophomore like myself, was there as well so it worked out very smoothly and nicely. We were able to simultaniesouly help the first student, Jay, with his business homework by helping him look up terms and compound his ideas together.
Halfway through the class period, we moved onto to math and helped Emma and Audrey with their math homework. Although not my strength, I helped them with factorials and Algebra 2. As I begin to tutor more, I have gotten closer with my students and been able to facilitate a fun learning environment. More so we are moving away from the typical conversations of "whats your favorite color" or "what is your favorite subject" and instead talking about topics with more depth. This is very exciting because I feel as if I am making progress with the students and actually making a difference.
Today was a good day because I got to talk to students, while also helping them with their work. It is important as a teacher, I have learned, to not only focus on schoolwork because this will only distance students. It is important to also create relationships with students because this in turn can help motivate them to try and do well in school because they will feel you are more approachable as a teacher,.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Halfway through the class period, we moved onto to math and helped Emma and Audrey with their math homework. Although not my strength, I helped them with factorials and Algebra 2. As I begin to tutor more, I have gotten closer with my students and been able to facilitate a fun learning environment. More so we are moving away from the typical conversations of "whats your favorite color" or "what is your favorite subject" and instead talking about topics with more depth. This is very exciting because I feel as if I am making progress with the students and actually making a difference.
Today was a good day because I got to talk to students, while also helping them with their work. It is important as a teacher, I have learned, to not only focus on schoolwork because this will only distance students. It is important to also create relationships with students because this in turn can help motivate them to try and do well in school because they will feel you are more approachable as a teacher,.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
March 21, 2019 2:30-3:30
Today I volunteer at Classic City High at 2:30-3:30. I was in Ms. Johns class, the English teacher. This is the class I typically am assigned to. However, each time I go different studies are there.
Today I was assigned to help Jay. Jay was working on an English paper about Fidel Castro. However, I noticed Jay had a huge lack of motivation. He told me his closest friend was out today and he had no one to hang out with. I tried my best over several attempts to get Jay to engage in his paper and helped him outline his thesis and introduction, but I understood I was not the teacher and if he did not want to work on it there was nothing I could do to motivate him (hence I could not discipline him).
Jay asked me several questions about myself- such as where I went to college, what I did in college. I realized he did not have plans for college and was more interested in the social aspects of a university. Something that dawned on me- something that I had not realized during my own experience in high school- was that college is not the plan for everyone. I think I am naive because at my high school it was typical that every student went to college. But when I become a teacher I can not think this way because not every student will want to go to college. It is important to provide resources and teach in a way that can apply to all students, including the students who may not want to attend college after high school.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Today I was assigned to help Jay. Jay was working on an English paper about Fidel Castro. However, I noticed Jay had a huge lack of motivation. He told me his closest friend was out today and he had no one to hang out with. I tried my best over several attempts to get Jay to engage in his paper and helped him outline his thesis and introduction, but I understood I was not the teacher and if he did not want to work on it there was nothing I could do to motivate him (hence I could not discipline him).
Jay asked me several questions about myself- such as where I went to college, what I did in college. I realized he did not have plans for college and was more interested in the social aspects of a university. Something that dawned on me- something that I had not realized during my own experience in high school- was that college is not the plan for everyone. I think I am naive because at my high school it was typical that every student went to college. But when I become a teacher I can not think this way because not every student will want to go to college. It is important to provide resources and teach in a way that can apply to all students, including the students who may not want to attend college after high school.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
March 5, 2019: 12:54-1:54
Today I went to classic city high around 1 and stayed until 2. This was third period for the students and I was assigned to Jones class again. Some of the students were working on lit, American history, and electives. Mrs. Jones informed me that there are only two elective options at Classic City High: foreign language and business. She said there used to be psychology there, but the program was taken away due to the difficulty and lack of students. I was helping with a kid, and for privacy purposes, I will call him Jay. Jay was working on a business portfolio online, which was the elective he had chosen. I noticed that on one of the questions we worked on, it stated to write 5 sentences about your business plan. Jay had only written one and when I noticed stated "oh it doesn't matter". This attitude I found common in many students in the classroom- where their goals were to complete assignments fast and get them done to turn in rather than have extensive responses. This is important to note- this is a trend seen in many high schools- especially public ones- lately. Where the goal is work, work, work, work and just get things done regardless of quality.
I think this is important to note that a lot of these students are so concnered with finishing the work presented to them that they often forget about the reason that they're in school: to learn. I wonder if this idea of having to just turn in work regardless of quality has been engraved in their brain because of the public school system. Especially with standard tests, I know from our readings and some of the group presentations that teachers and schools are drilled to do well on standard tests regardless of if it relates to the teacher's plans for the classroom.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
I think this is important to note that a lot of these students are so concnered with finishing the work presented to them that they often forget about the reason that they're in school: to learn. I wonder if this idea of having to just turn in work regardless of quality has been engraved in their brain because of the public school system. Especially with standard tests, I know from our readings and some of the group presentations that teachers and schools are drilled to do well on standard tests regardless of if it relates to the teacher's plans for the classroom.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019: 3:40-5:40
Today I decided to go into the after-school tutoring session program, as I think this program will allow me to work with students in a small group and setting and therefore work with them closer. Today I entered the school at 3:40 and stayed for two hours. Even though I have only been to Classic City High twice now I have noticed a lot about the school already. The school is for children wanting to come back to school to get their diploma, whether they have left their current high school for this one or dropped out and are now coming back. My first session I met a young woman who was working on her own novel and stated that she had wanted to be an English major if she had went to college. I didn't push her any further but it made me wonder- How many students in this school want to go to college? And is it financial security stopping them from doing this?
Regarding today, I went downstairs to the classroom that is associated with the after-school program. Their after school program runs from 3:40-5:40 M-TH and offers student who needs extra homework help or simply a place to wait and stay at the school. One student I helped with today needed help with her American history assignment. She didn't know how to spell most words I was saying aloud, which made me wonder what past English teachers she had and what they had taught her. The more I work at Classic City High the more I wonder if the public school education system, specially in Clarke County, has failed them. She also stated she had been gone for the past month, however I did not ask her why. For privacy purposes, I will not state the young girl's name in respect to her.
Overall, I think today's experience went better than last week's. I am still not super comfortable at the school, mostly because I do not know the students that well and also do not know the teachers, faculty, and building that well. However I think as I tutor more and get to know the students I will get more comfortable and be able to better help these students.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Regarding today, I went downstairs to the classroom that is associated with the after-school program. Their after school program runs from 3:40-5:40 M-TH and offers student who needs extra homework help or simply a place to wait and stay at the school. One student I helped with today needed help with her American history assignment. She didn't know how to spell most words I was saying aloud, which made me wonder what past English teachers she had and what they had taught her. The more I work at Classic City High the more I wonder if the public school education system, specially in Clarke County, has failed them. She also stated she had been gone for the past month, however I did not ask her why. For privacy purposes, I will not state the young girl's name in respect to her.
Overall, I think today's experience went better than last week's. I am still not super comfortable at the school, mostly because I do not know the students that well and also do not know the teachers, faculty, and building that well. However I think as I tutor more and get to know the students I will get more comfortable and be able to better help these students.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Monday, February 11, 2019
February 11, 2019: 3:04-4:04
Today was my first day tutoring at Classic City High. I walked in and was assigned to Mrs. Johns class where I stayed for 30 minutes. I talked to a student who was working on her own personal novel and when I told her I was an English major she shared that she wanted to be one too. The literature class was learning about greek roots and mythology. The teacher did a Kahoot and I played along with the kids. When the school day ended, around 3:30, I headed to the after-school program in the school where students went for after school help, additional help. They received snacks and a teacher was in charge of making sure the students did their work. None of the students that were there needed or wanted my help, however the teacher in charge asked me to read over and edit her research paper for pre-calc math experiment. I spent an hour at Classic City High and am excited to go back again.
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
*all names have been altered for purposes of privacy
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Introduction
My name is Korin Pinsky and I am currently an English Education Major at the University of Georgia. I took LLED3461S in hopes of getting exposure to real life mentoring and tutoring alongside a student.
Over the course of this blog, I will write and reflect on my experiences over my 15 hours of volunteer work. All names of faculty, staff, and students have been changed for privacy purposes which is indicated at the bottom of each blog post as well.
In addition, I switch between saying Mrs. Johns and Mrs. J however they are both the same teacher and person!
Over the course of this blog, I will write and reflect on my experiences over my 15 hours of volunteer work. All names of faculty, staff, and students have been changed for privacy purposes which is indicated at the bottom of each blog post as well.
In addition, I switch between saying Mrs. Johns and Mrs. J however they are both the same teacher and person!
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