Providing the Means for Success
When I decided to join Homework Central, I assumed that the persons benefiting from the program would be the students, so I did not imagine that my quality of life would be positively affected. At the time, I was not thinking about the influence they would have toward my education. My experiences through Homework Central have developed my passion to pursue the role of a teacher. This year, I have spent more time at the students' school, observing how they contribute to the classroom environment. I integrated my purpose there as a teaching credential student with the objective of establishing a link between the teachers and homework site. In particular, supporting the fifth grade students academically was a rewarding challenge as I collaborated with parents. While I worked with them in class, I recognized their need for a mentor, someone who can advise them on their educational journey. I will be mentoring students who demonstrated respect, insightful maturity, and a desire to learn through intellectual conversation. How I want to provide the means for success is through the development of a student's identity and personal values. The end goal will be for them to positively influence the lives of human beings as they have done to me.
The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” rings true because we must coordinate strategies that will show children the value of an education. I am the result of teachers, within and beyond the classroom, who inspired me to give back to the community. Finally, I thank the site coordinators, Charles Douglass, Linda Forsberg, and Jill Wagner, for their hospitality, teaching me how to be a role model adult among children. And thanks to you, the volunteers, because I grew confidence through your experiences and admire your commitment to the cause.
Guillermo Vazquez