Day 6

              Today was the last day of Brain Train and volunteer opportunities at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School. Mr. Lincoln, the program coordinator announced to all the tutors to wear a Seattle University shirt to show school pride on the last day of Brain Train and because a photographer from the newspaper was going to document pictures and write an article on the successful results from Brain Train in Seattle Public Schools. The first station Alexia and her group had to go to was the computer lab. Mr. Silver, the computer technician told the students to play the bear counting game, where the students had to make blocks of 10 by clicking on the blocks when they would come down the waterfall so that the bear could pick them up. Alexia played this game and enjoyed counting to ten so much that she made 7 blocks of 10. This was progress from last week of Brain Train when she only could make 3 at a time.

            After the computer lab, the students and volunteers were led outside so that the photographer could take a photo of the Brain Train participants and volunteers together. Looking at all the Brain Train students, I realize how lucky they are to have the Brain Train program at their school and to be a part of a great education-changing program. After taking the picture, the group went into the library for a math lesson.

            Alexia had to finish a math worksheet of adding and subtracting, which she did not have any trouble with, and also complete a worksheet to tell time, which was easy for her. When everyone was finished, the instructor played Bingo with the students. Alexia was so close to getting Bingo, but Mr. Lincoln told the instructor to wrap it up because Brain Train was about to end. The instructor told all the students to raise their hand up if they got Bingo, and Alexia wanted to raise her hand up too, even though she did not get Bingo. In a stern voice I told her, “Alexia, you did not get Bingo so you should not be raising your hand. I know you were really close to winning, but lying is not being honest.” She then put her hand down and told me “Okay, I guess not.” I felt bad but I knew I was doing her a favor in teaching her what the right thing to do was.

            I was sad that it was the last day of volunteering at Bailey Gatzert. I made an impact on Alexia and helped her improve her academic skills, which were my goals in the beginning of the quarter. The experience from volunteering at Bailey Gatzert inspired me to sign up and continue next quarter to volunteer again as a tutor.