Service Learning Reflection

1. What was the most memorable moment/event/day of your service-learning experience? Why?

                  The most memorable moment of my service learning experience was the last day of Brain Train. When Alexia came up to me, she told me in a sad voice “this is your last day here…I’m sad.” I told her that technically, although today is my last day, I could always come back next quarter. After hearing my response, Alexia was overjoyed and was excited for the Brain Train program. After working with Alexia and officially ending the Brain Train program, Mr. Lincoln told the volunteers to stay a little while after so he could make an announcement. He generally thanked every volunteer for their hard work and time commitment for Brain Train, because without our help, Brain Train would not be able to be as successful this winter quarter. He told us that this quarter had many positive results; almost all the students in Brain Train increased their test scores 50 points. He especially mentioned the few names who had significant increase in test score results, and one of the names he mentioned was Alexia! All the tutors turned their attention to me and congratulated me for my accomplishment in improving a student’s testing scores. I felt overjoyed and extremely happy; because of my time and commitment of tutoring her, I had made a huge impact on her academic profile and increased her test scores. That was one of my main goals before going into the Brain Train program, to make an impact on my student and consequently improve their academic knowledge and testing skills. 

2. Has your service-learning experience changed your perspective of education/learning/discourse? How so?

Volunteering at Bailey Gatzert changed my prospective of how discourses affect a student’s education and learning, especially working as Alexia’s tutor for Brain Train. Although students learn the same concepts, they have different learning paces. Alexia is the youngest out of her three older brothers in her family. Since her brothers are older, they pick on her and bully her. Whenever I see them pick her up after Brain Train, Alexia seems to always have her guard up; if she doesn’t, her brothers begin to bully her in derogatory ways. Although it seems as if Alexia brushes off the rude comments her brothers attack her with, I observe her upset attitude after her brothers stop teasing her. This is probably the reason why Alexia sometimes misbehaves in class and is disrespectful. Her primary discourse is exposed to negative behavior, which influences her to act the same in her secondary discourse, at school. However, when Alexia is not misbehaving, she is intelligent and completes her work correctly.

3. What was the most challenging aspect of your service-learning experience? How well do you feel like you faced those challenges?

The most challenging aspect of my service-learning experience was when Alexia misbehaved and was disobedient when I asked her nicely to complete her assignments. It was not only one day, but also multiple days that she would act disrespectful. Sometimes Alexia would get out of her chair and run around like a wild child, as an excuse for searching for an eraser. The other tutors and their students would observe Alexia run around the classroom and I would feel embarrassed because I could not get her to sit down until five minutes after. When she acted out, I told her in a stern voice to play the behaving game. It is fortunate that first graders love any game they are taught, even if it means they have to behave or not talk for duration of time. Whenever she would behave, I would draw happy faces on her paper when she completed her assignments, which made her want to play the “behaving” game even more!

4. How has your service-learning experience affected your view of SU’s mission, particularly in terms of social justice? What do you understand differently about the value of service and social-justice issues?

                  “Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.” My service- learning experience confirmed Seattle University’s mission because the Youth Initiative program coordinates with the community so that Seattle University students have the chance to be involved and help the community. Places such as Bailey Gazert Elementary School, Garfield High School, and Pratt are some of the opportunities where Seattle University students can volunteer, and it is very easy to sign up. Personally, volunteering at Bailey Gatzert was so much fun this winter quarter that I signed up to become a tutor for Spring Quarter. I believe Seattle University is making these opportunities to volunteer so simple to join and fun, that it makes students want to continue their service for the community.