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April 28, 2019 - 2019: vada ka yuva
In an effort to get some experience it teaching young kids with limited English language skills,
The Denver vada ka yuva expedition Teens had the opportunity to work with an after school programs at Crawford and Paris Elementary schools in Aurora which serve the local refugee community. It was fun to see
how the youth and the young school kids responded to each other at first and as they spent
more time with each other. I asked the youth for their thoughts of the experience and below is
the response that I got from them. —Randy Hoff
“Going to Crawford elementary to practice one of my lessons was a pretty
incredible experience. I could not complain about anything in my life after I taught those kids.
They are all just so happy with what they have and so willing to learn more. That experience
made me realize that there are people even 30 minutes away who have WAY less than me. I
don’t have to go to India to help others. I can look around in my own community and help way
more than I can imagine by just listening to people talk.
I highly recommend this experience to everyone because it helped me grow and love people
more. Now I am so much more grateful for all that I have!”
“I volunteered to tutor at Paris Elementary. My experience was different than
others because only one student in need of tutoring came to the after-school program, and the
rest spoke fluent English. I was glad to get the experience of teaching with less of a language
gap before India when I will need to be more comfortable with the lessons. My group was very
easy to manage and the girls were quiet as we practiced reading and writing skills. Overall
going to Paris Elementary got me excited to practice my lessons more and go again to be more
prepared to teach in India.”
“I went to Paris elementary to teach. Even though we had some complications with
the amount of kids that showed up, we still were able to teach a mini lesson. It was really hard
to be able to teach a certain way for the kids with better English skills vs the kids that hardly
spoke English.”
“ I just went to Crawford elementary to teach. It was such a neat experience
to finally be able to teach a lesson to kids! I learned that when actually teaching my lesson,
there was a lot of repetition. The kids got distracted pretty easy so that is one thing I need to
keep in mind when coming up with activities to do within the lesson. One major observation I
took note of was to make the students involved. I tried not to make it so I was showing them the
answers. I asked them what the answers were and if they needed, I would help them. I let them
think of it before I stepped in.”
“Teaching at Crawford was a joyous experience. All the kids were so energetic,
maybe a little too energetic but they're kids so it's expected. It was helpful to see what did and
didn't work with my lessons as well as what activities retained their attention.”
“When things are far away, it’s easier to not worry about them. To think that I’ll cross
that bridge when I get there. The day before my teaching date worry started to seep in. I had
been preparing these past few months, but going into an actual classroom is vastly different
then alone, at home. I expected it to be awkward and almost uncomfortable, even though I
really like working with kids. The drive to Crawford was tortuous suspense, layering on the fact
that the day had already proved to be extremely difficult. All I could picture was me walking into
the classroom, becoming overwhelmed, and breaking down. Nerves swarmed through me as
my mom dropped me off – finally – and I went to search for the classroom. I wiped away lingering
tears, hoping it didn’t do any extreme damage to my makeup, then went inside the classroom. I
immediately felt better, as if I had just stepped into a different world. The stresses of the day I
just survived melted away. Inside the class, adorable little kids were running around in blissful,
complete chaos. And I felt at home. Controlled chaos is my specialty; it’s where I thrive. Not on
that, but I connected with those littles so fast. I talked to them all, smiling and teasing them. I
saw a girl looking at me shyly, a blush spreading across her cheeks. I decided to dote on her. I
sat across from her while we waited for class to start and I did what I do best: talk. She was shy
at first, but I got her to open to me. She showed me magic and I gave her math problems to do
in her head. A few other kids joined in later, determined to prove they were smart. Really that’s
what all these kids wanted, for someone to seem as the smart, hardworking kids they are. I
know that for next time, I want to make sure to give them the encouragement and appreciation
they deserve for being so set on working hard, for me, a complete stranger. The class finally
started when all the tutors got there. I was working alongside Collin and Haidee. The group split
into two and the three of us started to work with the kids, Collin teaching first. They were all
sitting down when some girls called me over. One of the girls had her heart set on me sitting
next to her, so I did. All of the young girls began to talk all about me. They loved my makeup
(the same I was worried about ruining) and told me how beautiful I was, already making me feel
better. I looked at one of the girls and softly told her how much I loved her shirt, which made her
so happy that she crawled into my arms and hugged me. I’ve never been more shocked and
humbled. I connected with those kiddos and got them to laugh with me (or mostly at me). It was
then my turn to teach. It was somehow easier, yet harder than I thought it would be. I thought it
connected with the kids would be difficult, but that came easily to me. What was difficult was
keeping their attention and pushing through things that didn’t seem to be working. I really
needed to scramble to pick up a teaching style. Although it was fun to get through the lesson, I
know what I’d change for next time. I want more energy and focus, keeping things under my
control (I let that slip at times), but still giving them some sense of freedom. In the end, I loved
my time with those kids. We had fun playing together and I learned a lot from just one trip. Near
the end I had a few of the students beg me to come back next week, every week. I’d give all my
time to them if I could, but sadly I cannot drive. I want to figure something out for them though.
My favorite part was walking out of the school with them. I had one of the little girls, around 12,
point at me and say that I’m her new best friend. I readily agreed and she then informed me that
I needed to ‘shrink’; in order to look her age. So I squat-walked out of the building, teasing her all
the way. I walked her all the way to her brother (who laughed when he saw me) and she ran into
my arms to say goodbye, telling me she loved me. My heart stopped. Something about her
sweet words touched me and I felt such love towards her. I made one mistake though. I didn’t
write down their names, so now I can barely remember them. I want their names reminding me
what I’m working so hard for and the lives that have changed mine. I cannot wait to go back
next week, pen ready to spell out each of their names.”