A Day in the Life
Stories from former Sonoma SERVES AmeriCorps members
Reflections from Hutchins Year of Service AmeriCorps Mentors
“When I arrive at [school] I quickly gather my materials and prepare to tutor my first child. As I enter the classroom all of the students say hello and I see my student with a big grin on their face. I am amazed that someone could be so excited to learn when reading can be such a challenge. When I see them smile and have the opportunity to talk with them as we walk to the tutoring room I am reminded of the reasons why I wake up in the morning. It is such a rewarding feeling to watch a child read a book with confidence and move up reading levels because of the activities you practice daily with them.… This experience is a great opportunity for those who want to be teachers to gain classroom management skills and actually figure out if teaching is the correct path to choose. I would highly recommend working for AmeriCorps if someone had any intentions to teach because working here will help you decide if it’s what you really want. This job has made me realize that teaching is the right path for me because not a day goes by that I don’t think about my students or wonder what kind of activities I should plan for the following day.”
“I have learned a lot from my fellow mentors and also my kids. I have learned to work with my kids in ways that work for them and myself. Having to work with another mentor during the after school program I have learned how important communication skills are between two people…The kids have taught me more than anyone in the program. I have learned that they look up to me and when I first started working with my class I would try to talk over them when they were talking so they could hear me, but I soon learned that if they are talking and I start to whisper they become quiet because they want to know what I am saying. I have learned that they look up to what I do… “
“I am “stuck” with all of the hugs, all of the love, and all of the moments they make me laugh so hard that I cry… I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. These students have been by far the greatest people to have come into my life. I do not know anyone else who has taught me so much in such a short period of time…. My hopes for my students are simple ones, I want them to be happy with who they are, love themselves, and love all that they can do, even if they are not perfect at everything. I want them to internalize the words “ I can do it. I will do it. I want to do it. And I DID it!” I hope they see how wonderful and awesome they are and nothing will stop them from reaching their goals, except the limits they put on themselves. I hope they see they have taught me just as much (if not more) as I have taught them. I want them to end the year realizing they do not have to be the best at everything, they simply just have to try.
“The online class taught me a lot this semester…The articles I found useful gave me insight into the way other educational systems are run, not just the one we are familiar with here. I am just beginning to take some of the things I have learned from the articles and implement them into my class. I see the value of smaller groups more as I read more information about the powerfulness in directly teaching to a small group. Struggling students need more powerful mini-lessons. They need things broken down to fit their specific needs, and the best way to do this in a small group. The articles really helped me to see this and I hope as the year progresses I can implement the knowledge I have gained from them.”
“[As the year progressed] I was able to connect what we were learning in LIBS 312, School and Society. In this class we have been reading about differences in social class and how that can affect the school system and the students. It amazes me how accurately the articles related to the students I work with and it makes me wonder how much control we have of our schools. I read in this class, and have also found from experience, that there are only an elite few who make a lot of the decisions about how our schools are run, and this scares me. The majority of the reading I did for this class, I was able to apply directly to my experiences with AmeriCorps."
“This semester, I have needed a great deal of time to get adjusted to the Americorps program and a new school (Hutchins and Sonoma State). Tom Shaw, along with all my other teachers and coworkers, has made the transitions much easier for me .… The weekly assignments have been an appropriate amount of work and I have enjoyed reading and responding to other peoples questions and comments. This class has succeeded in adapting a seminar class to being an online course and it has kept the ideals of a seminar alive."
“Through all the trainings and experience of this program, I have learned all about different kinds of programs and strategies to use with students…My goal is to integrate these learning tools as much as I can into the lessons with my students and then take away with me, at the end of the school year, an extensive knowledge of these programs to use at my future teaching endeavors. I am planning on earning my teaching credential in resource education, and I believe that every one of the resources I have learned about this semester will help me teach children with learning disabilities. With a knowledge of so many different resources, I hope that I will eventually be able to adapt lesson plans to best fit each student I work with.”
“The reason I chose to be a teacher was my experience with AmeriCorps last year. My sense of accomplishment reinforced my decision by the end of the year. I really feel that this program changes the lives of children and it is almost a privilege to work with them. I knew right from the beginning that I would serve a second year and when I heard about the Hutchins program it seemed perfect.”
“Participating in the Americorps/Hutchins program has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my college career thus far. I have learned more about teaching and child development/psychology from this experience than I have from all of the child related classes I have taken in the past or will in the future…. I know I would not have made it if it hadn’t been for the times that made me feel that I really was making a difference in my students’ lives. These are the times when a special connection with a student happens and I see their eyes light up when they finally “get it.” These are the times when I have the rapt attention of the entire class while reading them a story. These are also the times when I see the results from a reading assessment and find my tutoring efforts have raised my student’s reading level from Level 1 to Level 7. When these things happen I know that what I’m doing is worthwhile.”
“Last year I was a transfer student here at Sonoma State and in all of my classes I had AmeriCorps members talking about the different programs. I have known for a few years now that I want to be an elementary school teacher, so the idea of being in a school and working with kids sounded great to me. Last year was such a great experience that I was excited to be able to come back and work full time with both Literacy Tutoring and the After School program. So far, this year has definitely had its challenges; however, it has also been more rewarding than I would have ever expected…. I have the opportunity to help many students, not only with their studies, but also in life. Everyday I try to instill life lessons and values, which over time has been shown to myself, my coworkers, their parents, their teachers and themselves. All these students want is to do well in school and be the best little person they can be. They have taught me more than any class would ever be able to teach me. Most importantly, they love and respect me, which, in actuality, is all my teacher can ask for.”
“The main challenge for me was trying to balance out a schedule with my classes on campus, internship, other part-time job and my life at home with my husband. It has definitely been hard, trying to make time for everything I am involved in, but it has taught me to manage my time and be responsible for every minute…. Being able to speak Spanish has allowed me to communicate with the parents since 90% of the parents are Spanish speakers. I am everything we discussed in class; a first generation college student, coming from a low income home, with non-educated parents who have sent me to local and low income schools. One of the reasons I decided to be a mentor in to give children the support and guidance I never had….As discussed in LIBS 312, so many students aren’t advancing in their education for the simple fact that there isn’t much communication from the teacher to the home. I even had a mother come to me and ask me for help filling out paperwork for low income housing, because she and her son live out of a rented room…. Working as a mentor has strengthened my desire to work as a teacher.”
“AmeriCorps feels like a lifetime of experience wrapped into one intense year. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with AmeriCorps and continue to take classes. Almost daily, I find something in my students that I can relate back to what I have learned from my classes this semester….Each week the topics we read and discussed in 312 plug right in with what I am learning and dealing with at work.”
Marisol Cunnington, Sonoma SERVES
AmeriCorps Leader/VISTA
I sure will miss the kids, they all found their way into my heart and many even taught me a few things. I know now that I always want to be involved in working with kids, even if I’m just volunteering a few hours a week. I’m planning on applying to be a Big Sister when I end my AmeriCorps experience.
My experience has been challenging and rewarding and awesome and difficult and more emotionally involving than anything I’ve ever done. The experience has allowed me to let go of my material cares and do everything I did for the sake of doing it and for the kids. This has been the best year of my adult life thus far.
Vanessa Petersen, Sonoma SERVES
AmeriCorps Mentor
My name is Vanessa Petersen, and I have been a fourth grade mentor at Sheppard's [Sonoma SERVES] After School program throughout the year. When asked to share how I helped one child this year, I can't imagine how to answer. There are many kids who I hope I have impacted and who I know have impacted me. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t know any of the kids, but gradually I got to know them as individuals and see their individual strengths. Over the year, they have opened up and shared about their lives’ hardships and accomplishments. There are two boys, Gabe and William, who were slower to warm to mentors and more apt to test us. I discovered what worked best with each. William needs attention, and I discovered his wonderful spirit and sense of humor and song, even with some for the difficulties he’s had in like. I’ve worked to help him have chances to succeed in class. Gabe, on the other hand, is very bright and most likely beyond fourth grade level. So, sometimes he gets bored. A key to his success is to give him responsibility. He is a leader amongst his peers. Also, sometimes he has anger management issues and gets into fights. This was a problem at the beginning of the year, but through making a contract with Annette and making good choices, the end of the year has looked good. He has the presence of thought to recognize times that are most likely for aggression occur (at the basketball court) and help calm or step out of the situation.
There were also students that remained quiet and reserved. One such student is Maria S. She may be quiet, but her smile would light up the room. She had to leave for a few months, but when she came back I started to see her excitement and talent for poetry. I attended her class’ poetry tea and was amazed to hear her strong voice when reading her poetry. I don’t know how much I’ve affected the kids, but I know that Sonoma SERVES After School is a safe place, and in my class I’ve given them a voice and let them know their voice and opinion are valuable and encouraged. I have learned from each student. From Denise, I learned never to be afraid to be the only one voting for something. Esmeralda taught me strength when she had to have an operation, Logan’s lack of fear of life even with all the scrapes he gets, Ricky’s energy and joy for life, Beatriz’s kindness and encouragement. Quan has gone from Vietnamese language and culture to English in three years, which is amazing, and he pretends not to care, but then gets excited when he gets something he’s had difficulty with. I jog with Anai and Ivan every morning and hear their thoughts. Erica used to be quiet, but with our help has begun to open up and smile and see her worth.
These are some of the students I have impacted, and I know I have learned from. My favorite quote from this year is William saying, “Don’t underestimate the power of my mind.” I hope each of us comes to believe the same thing.
Dawn Basinger, Sonoma SERVES
AmeriCorps Mentor
My name is Dawn Basinger and my story begins in the beginning of the school year, 2004, at Sheppard Elementary. The month of September I started working with the third grade class of around twenty-two students. Having a fourth grader, I thought it would be no problem at all. Well, like any new person in your life, there is going to be trials and tribulations, test after test. One child seems to need more attention and care than others. His name is David, and had little or no patience to deal with me in his class. I watched him with others and realized it was nothing personal. He was having problems with his peers as well. So, I had him sit with me and tried to find a way to relate to David. I gave him several chances to find out what was going on in his life. So, after talking to his mother, she shared that she was going through a divorce and had a restraining order out against him (her husband). This child was going from a household with two parents to a single parent household of only one. So, he was angry and sad with everyone. Through spending time and giving him tasks, David starting opening up and sharing more with his peers. He is trying to stay motivated in making sure he was aware that homework is the most important thing to others around him and myself. We spent many hours a week trying to get him caught up with his teacher and class. David struggled but never stopped trying as long as I continued an open relationship between him and his mother. This, I believe, showed David that we truly care about how he was doing in and out of school. I believe that David taught me to be more caring, patient, and understanding, no matter how young he was. Experience means nothing if we can’t help the ones we love, and we are never too old to stop learning from one another, no matter what the age. Truly, I gave my time and attention to the third grade class each Monday through Friday, and I carried the experience with me day in and day out, growing as a parent and mentor.
I was moved to fourth grade, and it was hard fitting into a routine that was so different. But they really needed an extra mentor for the class. So, I worked closely with the mentor in the class to find out what works for them and what I really could do to contribute to a successful class. After a month, the kids started coming to me and asking for my assistance, and the relationship began all over again with another class. Erica Sanchez is one student that I really made a difference in her life. It was a day I had to leave early, but Erica came into the classroom crying, and she needed to talk. So, I stayed and listened for a while, and we both decided she wasn’t happy and needed to find a solution to her misery. Her teacher, Mr. Healy, was brought into the equation so we could all figure out what would make Erica safe and happy again. I mentioned maybe she needed someone to talk to about what was really going on. The following day, Erica came into class with a smile and thanked me for our talk. I went home and hugged my daughter, shared the story with my fourth grader, and it made us grow closer and respect each other as friends. My life has truly changed according to all the children in my life that have helped me realize what it feels like to truly be alive.
Sarah Rapp, Sonoma SERVES
AmeriCorps Leader/VISTA
I am now a high school teacher at Elsie Allen, where I am beginning to see the students I worked with in elementary school as an AmeriCorps member. Here at Elsie this year I teach a college preparedness class for motivated (but under-represented) students. We are currently recruiting for next year's class, and I met this 9th grade student who had been recommended by her teachers. She seemed strangely familiar, and I was delighted to realize that she must have been a Sonoma SERVES reading tutoring student when I was at Wright seven years ago.
Today, I interviewed her, and WOW! Ana already has her sights set on Stanford (she wants to be a pediatrician and also get a Master's in English), she is in the school band, and next year she will be taking two additional classes beyond the ordinary 10th grade curriculum to get ahead (Honors Spanish before school and also a class at the JC). In fact, she is doing so much and so successfully that she probably doesn't have room in her schedule for my class!
I asked her if she had been in the reading tutoring at Wright, and she remembered it fondly. She clearly recalled her tutor's name, and that for her birthday in second grade she'd been given a book that was a third grade book. She remembers that she was proud that she could read that book. This student told me that she will be successful, and that her motivation comes from within. She said that her parents don't really encourage her, but that she sets goals for herself and then works to achieve them.
Ana is lovely, mature, kind, and intelligent. I was so impressed with her, and so happy to her that she had been in SCHOLARS as a second grader. I know that her experience in gaining skills and confidence with your program has without a doubt contributed to the amazing 9th grader she is today.
This experience made my day!
Kristen Valstad, Sonoma SERVES
AmeriCorps Mentor
I served as an AmeriCorps tutor for two years at Sheppard. As a tutor I was able to see the various stages of the reading process and learned how to develop plans to help best fit my tutees individual needs. My two years of service taught me many skills and strategies for both reading and writing that I have taken with me to this day. I was also able to meet and start relationships with people in the field of my interest that I continue to develop today.
Through my experience as a reading tutor I gained valuable knowledge that I am proud to say I use in my classroom today as a 5th grade teacher at Sheppard. I am grateful for all the experiences I have had and believe that it has made me a better, more informed, teacher.
Josh Newman, Sonoma SERVES
AmeriCorps Mentor
[Sonoma SERVES] was my first real hands on experience working with children in an academic setting. This experience added to my inspiration of becoming a teacher. I acquired valuable tools and insights into the teaching profession. I suggest to anyone desiring to become a teacher to first try the adventure of Sonoma SERVES.
