ACHIEVEMENTS
In this internship, I've measured my success by the knowledge I've gained.
What I've learned from the children...
Before this internship, I had not really worked with children since my senior year of high school. To say I was a little nervous was an understatement. When I first started, I worked with teens. At the time, I enjoyed it although I had wanted to work with 3rd-4th grade. Later, I was switched to spending most of my time with K-2nd grade. Wow, what a blessing that was. While they have a ton of energy, they are the most pure human beings you can spend your time around. Not only are they almost always beaming with happiness, they also are very honest and eager to learn. At the beginning, I struggled with remembering names. Once I started to memorize names, everything changed. The children realized I was taking an active interest in them and began to want to bond with their new teacher. I received many nicknames with Ms. L sticking as the most popular one.
From my kids, I have learned how important it is to move quickly past things that make you upset. One second, a child can be upset and the next second, they are as happy as a clam. They do not dwell upon the bad things. They also look up to you as a role model and regard you with such high respect. This belief in me makes me feel empowered to impact their lives in the most positive manner. They make me a better person. They remind me every day to appreciate the little things and to cherish everyone in my life.
If things were not perfect in my personal life, I knew I had a place where none of it mattered and people still counted on me and loved me which was an amazingly, reassuring feeling. I failed a quiz in class one time and as soon as I got to the Lincoln Center after, I was greeted by a hug and a cookie from a child who remembered I loved snicker-doodles. They had their mom help them make it after being picked up the day before just because they knew it would make me happy. They thought nothing of being selfless and remembered the most random thing. Being treated so sweetly, makes it easy for me to want to pay it forward when I can.
I also have seen that you cannot judge a person upon the first, second, or even third impression that you might receive. Every person has many characteristics that can be shown in different lights upon the current situation in which they are in. Not all days are good days and you can go through bad patches but it does not mean you are a bad person.
Some kids that I struggled with at the beginning, are now (secretly) my favorite. Why? They have so much unexpected depth to them in which I have had the opportunity to engage with. For example, I have had kids who have gone through many things at home and at school. Every day, I tell them hello and give them a hug which they sometimes receive reluctantly. I try talk to them when they are upset and it may seem like I'm not getting anywhere when they don't want to respond until they come up to me on their own to talk or give me a hug. Some will even ask why they didn't receive a hug, if I was busy doing something - the same kids which act like they hate hugs. Some talk about their problems directly while others choose companionship by asking for help with flashcards or asking to play a game. Fast forward to weeks later, the same child will run up to me and show me their math grades or tell me about how they got to spend an hour with their dad showing him how to play Headbandz. Moments like this show me how valued I am and how much my actions can help someone else. Some people take more work to get to know and that's okay because they may be counting on you to be that one person who cares and keeps trying.
Children, while needing obvious authority, also need someone who will listen to them. They have great ideas, sometimes. I love their imagination. Sometimes, I implement games they would like to try. When they work, they get the pride of seeing a cool idea come to fruition and see other people enjoy their idea. I know that's a great feeling. When the game doesn't work, they get taught a lesson about why sometimes things don't always work out even if you have the best intentions.
The beautiful thing about spending time with children is remembering what you were like at that age and seeing where you are now. You get to picture a whole life for that child while knowing it will more than likely not turn out how you expect it to. They have so much to learn and it's an exciting thing to witness how they change yet still stay the same.
From my kids, I have learned how important it is to move quickly past things that make you upset. One second, a child can be upset and the next second, they are as happy as a clam. They do not dwell upon the bad things. They also look up to you as a role model and regard you with such high respect. This belief in me makes me feel empowered to impact their lives in the most positive manner. They make me a better person. They remind me every day to appreciate the little things and to cherish everyone in my life.
If things were not perfect in my personal life, I knew I had a place where none of it mattered and people still counted on me and loved me which was an amazingly, reassuring feeling. I failed a quiz in class one time and as soon as I got to the Lincoln Center after, I was greeted by a hug and a cookie from a child who remembered I loved snicker-doodles. They had their mom help them make it after being picked up the day before just because they knew it would make me happy. They thought nothing of being selfless and remembered the most random thing. Being treated so sweetly, makes it easy for me to want to pay it forward when I can.
I also have seen that you cannot judge a person upon the first, second, or even third impression that you might receive. Every person has many characteristics that can be shown in different lights upon the current situation in which they are in. Not all days are good days and you can go through bad patches but it does not mean you are a bad person.
Some kids that I struggled with at the beginning, are now (secretly) my favorite. Why? They have so much unexpected depth to them in which I have had the opportunity to engage with. For example, I have had kids who have gone through many things at home and at school. Every day, I tell them hello and give them a hug which they sometimes receive reluctantly. I try talk to them when they are upset and it may seem like I'm not getting anywhere when they don't want to respond until they come up to me on their own to talk or give me a hug. Some will even ask why they didn't receive a hug, if I was busy doing something - the same kids which act like they hate hugs. Some talk about their problems directly while others choose companionship by asking for help with flashcards or asking to play a game. Fast forward to weeks later, the same child will run up to me and show me their math grades or tell me about how they got to spend an hour with their dad showing him how to play Headbandz. Moments like this show me how valued I am and how much my actions can help someone else. Some people take more work to get to know and that's okay because they may be counting on you to be that one person who cares and keeps trying.
Children, while needing obvious authority, also need someone who will listen to them. They have great ideas, sometimes. I love their imagination. Sometimes, I implement games they would like to try. When they work, they get the pride of seeing a cool idea come to fruition and see other people enjoy their idea. I know that's a great feeling. When the game doesn't work, they get taught a lesson about why sometimes things don't always work out even if you have the best intentions.
The beautiful thing about spending time with children is remembering what you were like at that age and seeing where you are now. You get to picture a whole life for that child while knowing it will more than likely not turn out how you expect it to. They have so much to learn and it's an exciting thing to witness how they change yet still stay the same.
What I've learned about planning...
Working with children, I have learned that direction needs to be both rigid and flexible. Authority is not very popular with young ones but very necessary to avoid chaos. However, being too strict and mean can cause children's imagination and happiness to be inhibited.
More than likely, your plan will have to be changed. You have to be quick to improvise and welcome adaptable programs. While sometimes it is easy to see how children receive a program, they are also very open to telling you how they feel, if you ask. This is the best way to ensure that you are creating programs enjoyable for almost everyone or providing optional modifications for those who would not or could not enjoy the original program.
One of the most important things (and personally one of my favorite) I've learned is that children are more receptive and excited to complete an activity if you do it with them. For example, dodgeball can bore many of the girls. However, if I participate, they actually enjoy it. Why? It's fun to see one of the adults out of their element and enjoying themselves. It can even be fun for them to "compete" with you and feel tremendous excitement when they "beat" you.
More than likely, your plan will have to be changed. You have to be quick to improvise and welcome adaptable programs. While sometimes it is easy to see how children receive a program, they are also very open to telling you how they feel, if you ask. This is the best way to ensure that you are creating programs enjoyable for almost everyone or providing optional modifications for those who would not or could not enjoy the original program.
One of the most important things (and personally one of my favorite) I've learned is that children are more receptive and excited to complete an activity if you do it with them. For example, dodgeball can bore many of the girls. However, if I participate, they actually enjoy it. Why? It's fun to see one of the adults out of their element and enjoying themselves. It can even be fun for them to "compete" with you and feel tremendous excitement when they "beat" you.
What I've learned from my coworkers...
I have the privilege of working with great staff! Everyone enjoys their job and is easy to like by many. This is so vital in more than one way.
#1 - It's easier to implement programs with people who have your back and are easy going. They can help you, and you trust them to run the operation if you have to step away. Coworkers can make your life so much easier when y'all have a mutual trust and respect for each other. It's also much more fun to work together when you both share a common passion.
#2 - The hard stuff doesn't suck as much. There are certain things like cleaning or dealing with a misbehaved kid that can sometimes seem horrible. It can be very frustrating but with nice coworkers, it's not as bad or as hard.
#3 - Children can sense tension. If their is a problem between you and coworkers, children will notice and pry into it. This can cause an awkward situation or they can take advantage of it which is never good. Good coworkers know how to leave personal problems outside of work or discuss them healthily at the appropriate times with fellow coworkers.
#1 - It's easier to implement programs with people who have your back and are easy going. They can help you, and you trust them to run the operation if you have to step away. Coworkers can make your life so much easier when y'all have a mutual trust and respect for each other. It's also much more fun to work together when you both share a common passion.
#2 - The hard stuff doesn't suck as much. There are certain things like cleaning or dealing with a misbehaved kid that can sometimes seem horrible. It can be very frustrating but with nice coworkers, it's not as bad or as hard.
#3 - Children can sense tension. If their is a problem between you and coworkers, children will notice and pry into it. This can cause an awkward situation or they can take advantage of it which is never good. Good coworkers know how to leave personal problems outside of work or discuss them healthily at the appropriate times with fellow coworkers.
What I've learned from my boss...
Ms. Cheletia is my current supervisor and is unlike any other that I have had. First of all, she was thrown into the position without help when the then supervisor retired. She took on the role of the head supervisor and assistant supervisor. With that being said, she has done a tremendous job of balancing everything. I also have more respect for her because she personally hired all of my beloved coworkers. Therefore, I know she is a good judge of character.
My favorite thing about Ms. Cheletia is that she has taught me how to say no and when to be patient. She not only is very blunt when something is wrong, she also is the first to notify us when something has gone very right. I receive a lot of verbal feedback from my work while also receiving less than I would like guidance and supervision. However, in doing this, she has made me more confident and responsible for planning and brainstorming. I no longer feel scared in situations that I would have been in the past. I am better at thinking quickly and not second-guessing myself which is something that I really struggled with. I enjoy not being micro-managed now in fear that I would have done something wrong.
She shows support and confidence in us which makes us feel more confident in whatever it is that we are doing. It has made me feel more prepared for full-time employment post-graduation. I know when to ask for help and when to contemplate more. I have learned how to adapt to multiple types of management and even embrace them.
My favorite thing about Ms. Cheletia is that she has taught me how to say no and when to be patient. She not only is very blunt when something is wrong, she also is the first to notify us when something has gone very right. I receive a lot of verbal feedback from my work while also receiving less than I would like guidance and supervision. However, in doing this, she has made me more confident and responsible for planning and brainstorming. I no longer feel scared in situations that I would have been in the past. I am better at thinking quickly and not second-guessing myself which is something that I really struggled with. I enjoy not being micro-managed now in fear that I would have done something wrong.
She shows support and confidence in us which makes us feel more confident in whatever it is that we are doing. It has made me feel more prepared for full-time employment post-graduation. I know when to ask for help and when to contemplate more. I have learned how to adapt to multiple types of management and even embrace them.