School Year 2006-2007 Portfolios
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Ashley Esser, Colin Muenster, Corrie DeMuth, Cynthia Cechota, Emily Toth, Gretel Winterwood, Isaac Boyd, Jeanne Harrington, Jessica Durkop, Jillian Durkop, Joseph Garner, Kirshna Selchow, Lili Barton, Natasha Waters, Nicole Kuhlman, Peter Yoches, Rachel Urbain, Teanna Cardin, Valerie Flynn
Ashley Esser—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Fulton Elementary School and St. Mark’s Community Center
Starting in December, I began my AmeriCorps service at Fulton Elementary School. The first child I was asked to work with one-on-one was quite a challenge. He had many behavior issues that I hoped to help him overcome. After working with him, he accomplished more and behaved better. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the wonderful children of Dubuque and help them progress not only in academics, but in their social lives as well. I feel that I have helped many of these students feel more confident about themselves and their abilities. When a transfer student from Prescott became frustrated when reading because English was her second language, I worked with her one-on-one for a few weeks and she improved greatly. Not only could she read, but she was having fun doing it. “I can read!” she told me with a smile from ear to ear.
My experience at St. Mark’s Community Center during the summer was amazing. I helped out with summer school and had the opportunity to create my own lesson plans and be really creative. On some days, there were kids lined up outside of the building an hour before the program even started. My favorite part of the program was the field trips we took on Fridays. We went on a riverboat ride on the Mississippi, a play at the Belltower Theater, the low ropes course at Four Mounds, and the Madison Zoo. It felt so great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces and to know that I helped put them there.
During the summer, I also had the opportunity to help out with Jumpstart Kindergarten. Because my previous placements involved working with mostly older students, I am glad that I got a chance to work with kindergarteners. They were all so excited to be there and participate. I also learned the virtue of patience through my work with them.
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
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Colin Muenster—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Roosevelt Middle School and Mazzuchelli Middle School
What does a theater major do after he graduates? After asking myself this question and being asked this question by countless others, I found myself joining AmeriCorps to attain an education outside of the typical classroom. I didn’t know what to expect, and in all honesty, I still cannot comprehend how I gained so much by falling into something I hardly knew existed.
Initially I was floored by the work that would be required of me. I was to assist in directing Roosevelt Middle School’s production of “Oliver,” help with after-school creative drama classes at Mazzuchelli Middle School, and work closely with the Great Midwestern Educational Theatre Company on the production of “The Pickle Patch Bathtub.” Roosevelt quickly became the highlight of my day as I forged good relationships with the kids and production staff alike. One of my most memorable moments was teaching a classroom full of students how to speak in the cockney accent. I commanded the kids’ attention for roughly an hour and felt like a real teacher. The instance was eye opening, because I felt as though I gained the respect of the kids in the room and had something valuable to offer them. Finally, I could answer the question of what a theater major does after he graduates.
During the summer, I helped put on educational programs for kids, such as Paint a Bowl, Feed a Child, which raised awareness of nutrition and global hunger. I also had the opportunity to work at the Frogwart’s School of Wizardry, a Harry Potter themed summer camp that emphasized the performing arts. It was a place for kids to leave their inhibitions, or “muggly” close-mindedness and let their imaginations take over.
Teaching is certainly on the horizon for me, something I hadn’t EVER considered until joining AmeriCorps.
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Corrie DeMuth—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Sageville Elementary School and Multicultural Family Center
My experience with AmeriCorps was like nothing I have ever done before. I had worked with preschoolers and high-school students, but never with elementary students. It was nice to work with children of different academic abilities and personalities. My first placement at Sageville Elementary allowed me to work with students on many different subjects, including reading, math, spelling, and science. The staff was very warm and welcoming and made sure to let me know how appreciative they were of my help.
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My summer was comprised of a mixture of activities and camps. Because I was responsible for leading various day camps, I became an expert on babysitting, adventures, gardening, and skate boarding. Growing in the Garden was a weekly class that took place at the Arboretum. I helped the children plant fruits and vegetables and supervised other gardening activities. The kids were responsible for weeding, watering, and caring for the plants. Seeing the smiles on their faces as they took home the fruits and vegetables of the harvest was priceless.
During the summer I also helped at the Multicultural Family Center and led the Amazing Adventure day camp, which allowed campers to get their hands dirty doing a series of experiments. The kids really enjoyed sharing their findings with their friends and the AmeriCorps workers.
My AmeriCorps journey ended where it had begun: Sageville Elementary. The last two weeks of my service involved helping Mrs. Pape with 40 kindergarteners at Jump Start. Because of my AmeriCorps experience, I have decided that I would like to teach elementary school. I will take the experiences I have had during my nine months of service and one day use them in my own classroom.
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Cynthia Cechota—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
My AmeriCorps placement came at a crossroads in my life—call it what you like: midlife crisis or midlife enlightenment. I chose the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, because YAPPERS, the program with which I would be working, involved high school students. Initially, I was interested in working primarily with older kids, but shockingly, I found that my greatest moments in AmeriCorps came at the Multicultural Family Center, Comiskey Park, and Jackson Park, where I interacted with young kids—and lots of them. Most were on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale. Working with children one-on-one, I came to see each child as a rough, uncut diamond and watched how my individual attention helped each one of them shine.
As a member of the Every Child, Every Promise committee, I learned first-hand how an idea can culminate into a city-wide campaign. I witnessed the city’s greatest leaders in action and learned the importance of individual contributions to a team or organization. For example, I was able to use my love of writing to fine-tune a grant for the Community Foundation that we eventually ended up receiving. My skills, perceptions, personal communication skills, and even my cooking talents were challenged through my experiences with the Community Foundation.
As a member of the Every Child, Every Promise committee, I learned first-hand how an idea can culminate into a city-wide campaign. I witnessed the city’s greatest leaders in action and learned the importance of individual contributions to a team or organization. For example, I was able to use my love of writing to fine-tune a grant for the Community Foundation that we eventually ended up receiving. My skills, perceptions, personal communication skills, and even my cooking talents were challenged through my experiences with the Community Foundation.
My greatest lesson from my AmeriCorps experience has been the Art of Giving. I plan on volunteering for the Multicultural Family Center after my term with AmeriCorps ends. A little boy asked me if I was coming back. My answer was, and is, “yes.”
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Emily Toth—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Lincoln Elementary School
Serving at Lincoln Elementary School for the majority of my 450 hours of AmeriCorps service, I worked mainly with first graders one-on-one or in small groups. I even had some opportunities to lead an entire classroom. My goal was to tend to those kids who needed extra help in the areas of reading and math. I also wanted to improve my leadership skills. I found that when I was patient with a student and offered my help, he or she was more likely to respond and cooperate.
Pulling students out of the classroom individually showed me that some of these students knew more than they initially displayed in group work. By the end of my service, I saw a drastic improvement in the students with whom I worked.
I was thrown into a lot of situations that tested my leadership capabilities. I now know that I can take on a leadership role effectively and with great confidence. The faculty at Lincoln told me that the extra work I did with students increased their reading levels a great deal, and the students gave me countless drawings and gifts showing their appreciation for my help.
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Gretel Winterwood—AmeriCorps 2006
Prescott Elementary School and Presentation Lantern Center
From January to May of 2007, I alternated between two classrooms at Prescott Elementary School. Most often I worked with large groups of children, but occasionally I had the opportunity to work with the kids individually or in small groups. When I was able to work one-on-one with the kids, I felt I could especially help those who were shy, academically delayed, physically awkward, and generally “lost in the shuffle.” Wendy was one of these children who seemed to greatly appreciate when I was able to come around and give extra instructions and encouragement.
During the summer, I tutored individuals one-on-one at the Presentation Lantern Center. Many of the people with whom I worked were from foreign countries, such as Hui Hua, whom I helped study for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). One student from Taiwan needed practice with his English, particularly in conversation. As soon as I found out that Joe was interested in going on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, we wrote out lists of camping supplies he would need, worked out day-by-day destinations, and set up reservations in campgrounds and back-up reservations in hotels. It was rewarding to hear two weeks later that he and his wife had a great trip and that everything had gone as planned. It really felt good to work with people who appreciated my assistance.
My final placement was back at Prescott for two weeks of Kindergarten Roundup. My favorite time was when the class was divided into smaller groups and I was assigned to the play kitchen area. This was a place that many of the children who wouldn’t talk in a large group setting “came to life.” Some of the shy kids were able to pretend with me and get out their thoughts and feelings. Teaching others new skills is an admirable endeavor and will always be AmeriCorps’s greatest strength.
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Isaac Boyd—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Fulton Elementary School and the Multicultural Family Center
Coming into my second term with AmeriCorps, I hoped to increase my abilities as an educator. I was able to continue my work at Fulton Elementary, where I worked with some of the same children I had worked with the previous year. My greatest challenge at Fulton was helping a student who had managed to get into second grade without really recognizing all the letters or knowing what sounds they made. However, my most important work with this student was helping him learn self control and anger management.
I was quite satisfied this year with doing much more one-on-one and small group work with students. On snow days, I still went in at my regular time because there were often students that came to school. I spent that time working with these students on their homework or reading.
Because I had done so much work at the Multicultural Family Center during the summer of 2006, I felt strongly compelled to continue this work throughout the school year as well. While I helped supervise the kids after school and put together holiday events and movie nights, one of my main functions at the MFC became re-organizing and repairing the computer network. This work involved a lot of time and effort. It started with simply attempting to block inappropriate information from being accessed on the internet, but evolved to include protecting the computers from harmful viruses as well. Several times I had to go to the library and look up information. While I had gone into this second term wanting to be a better educator, I came out feeling like a better student.
I am proud of the work I have done as an AmeriCorps member and plan to continue doing great works by volunteering in other ways and other capacities. I have already made arrangements to continue my work at the Multicultural Family Center. Joining AmeriCorps has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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Jeanne Harrington—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Irving Elementary School and Presentation Lantern Center
As a mother, grandmother, and retired teacher, my goal as an AmeriCorps member was to give something back to my community—primarily to children.
The majority of my service took place at Irving Elementary School, where I helped children academically as well as emotionally by providing them with tutoring and personal attention. Having taught elementary grades for 31 years, I know that many kids desperately need that extra attention and help from a caring adult. Many of the kids with whom I worked made significant progress and benefitted academically from the extra tutoring they received. Others became more confident, and I hope that my encouragement will help them long into the future. It was great being in the classroom once again.
My summer experience was at the Presentation Lantern Center, a drop-in facility for people attempting to learn English. The individuals with whom I worked definitely made me more aware of the world outside the U.S. Even though my time with those who came to the Lantern Center was limited, I did my best to exemplify the kind of person most Americans aspire to be: people who are kind, want peace, and care deeply about others.
For the first two weeks in August, I once again spent time at Irving helping with Jump Start Kindergarten. The children spent that time learning about the school, rules, and procedures, engaging in activities that reinforced the importance of working together, listening to stories, and “sampling” a typical kindergarten day. The kids obviously profited quite a bit from the program, because by the end of the two weeks, all seemed comfortable being at school and with the idea that they would soon be there every day.
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Jessica Durkop – AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Washington Middle School
As I reflect back on the year I spent at Washington Middle School, I realize that I’ve learned a lot. I have been given the opportunity to learn new and interesting things and to grow as a person. For example, working at Washington has taught me that I want to teach middle school someday. I have decided to get a middle school endorsement because of this experience. I have also learned that I want to be a teacher who accepts and embraces differences. Additionally, this year at Washington has taught me to never give up on any student. Some students take longer to develop, but once they do they can do wonderful things.
I have so many stories that I will remember forever when I think of Washington. After the winter break I started to work with a student during 8th period on an individual basis. She struggled with a lot of social issues and just needed someone there to talk to and to push her to do her work when necessary. At first this student didn’t really like the fact that I was helping her one-on-one, but after a while she saw that her grades were beginning to go up and that she was doing better socially. I continued working with this student through the end of the year, and she seemed to do better in her classes.
Overall, I feel I have gained just as much from Washington as they have gained from me. I really felt like the teachers used my time and talents well. I felt like they appreciated me and made me feel like I was a great addition to their staff. I believe that this experience will make me a great teacher when I graduate. My experiences at Washington have been something that I will take with me forever. For this experience I thank Washington Middle School for having me, and the AmeriCorps program. In my heart I will always be a WAHAWK!!
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Jillian Durkop—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Hoover Elementary School
Upon beginning my second term of AmeriCorps service, I was afraid that I would find myself comparing my present experience and placement site with my past AmeriCorps experience and placement site. However, after my first day at Hoover, many of my reservations subsided. I worked in kindergarten, first grade, and third grade classrooms, which provided me with a variety of experiences. At first I was terrified to work with young students, especially the kindergarteners because they need so much guidance in the classroom. After the second day, however, I had fallen in love. Kindergarteners make you feel special.
In addition to working with various age levels, I also had the opportunity to work with different types of students. In one classroom, I worked with the teacher to create an accommodated spelling program for a struggling student. Each Monday, I took this student out of the classroom and worked on five select spelling words for the week and gave him a test on Friday. We also created an advanced vocabulary group. Each week, I took four exceptional students and did vocabulary lessons with them. This was a nice change for me since I often found myself working with struggling students.
My experience at Hoover School has been an excellent one. I feel as though the staff truly appreciates what I have done at Hoover. I have learned that it is fun to learn and that we should be excited about learning. Sometimes as a college student I forget these things. As an education major, I can take much of what I have learned and use it in the future. The poem below best sums up how AmeriCorps has allowed me to make a difference in many children’s lives:
I am only one.
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
-Edward Everett Hale
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Joseph Garner—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Senior High School, Prescott Playground, and Audubon Playground
Ever since I moved to Dubuque three years ago to attend Loras College, I felt in debt to the community and sought a way to repay that debt. I knew that AmeriCorps would provide me the service opportunity I had been looking for.
At my placement site, Senior High School, I helped to resurrect the mentoring program that had been dismantled due to “lack of funding.” I worked with the school’s guidance counselors, faculty, and staff to bring outside mentors into Senior High School to directly assist and guide struggling students. I worked with 20-40 students on a daily basis, emailed and conducted conferences with teachers, sat in on meetings with administrative staff, maintained discipline in the guidance office, and recruited, screened, scheduled, and monitored 10-15 adult mentors.
Over the summer, I worked at the Prescott and Audubon playgrounds, facilitated educational programs, such as Frozen Treasures and Amazing Adventures, and attended weekly field trips. Through individual and team play, I sought to help the kids develop and improve upon leadership skills, a sense of collaboration, and awareness about health and fitness. It was exciting to see the kids grow so quickly over only two months.
I know that I grew alongside the kids with whom I worked throughout my term of service. As an AmeriCorps member, I improved not only in my ability to solve conflicts but to connect with community members of all ages.
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Kirshna Selchow—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Prescott Elementary School
My first day at Prescott Elementary School as an AmeriCorps volunteer was an interesting one. I was put immediately with a small group of students working on a math concept that I had never seen before. For the first few months, it was difficult for me to keep the kids with whom I was working under control, because they knew I was “softer” than the other teachers and let them get away with more things. Gaining the students’ trust, respect, and cooperation and enforcing all the rules was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. However, I was eventually able to control the entire classroom, not just a small group, through a lot of work and tests of patience. This, for me, was a huge improvement.
One thing I learned through my AmeriCorps experience was that it is very difficult to build relationships with some children. For example, there were two students with whom it was very hard for me to communicate. In the beginning, they were difficult and said things that were very hurtful, but as the year progressed, they began to open up to me. Both of them told me that they were sad that I had to leave their school, which made me sad and happy at the same time.
Working with AmeriCorps has been an eye-opening experience. It has taught me how to teach better, showed me how to work better with people through team building exercises, and demonstrated that hard work and perseverance will bring good results in the end. I have gained many of the skills I will need to become a teacher. I am proud to say that I have served as an AmeriCorps volunteer.
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Lili Barton – AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Jefferson Middle School
My experience as an AmeriCorps member has been a great one. I have experienced so much more than I could have ever imagined. I am currently attending the University of Dubuque to receive my Elementary Teaching Certificate with my Special Education and Reading Endorsement, so for me this was a very good learning experience.
I spent most of my time at Jefferson Middle School, working with the 6th graders. Here I helped teachers in all different areas. My task could range anywhere from giving the class their spelling test to working one on one with students. I also dealt a lot with behavioral issues.
Throughout my term of service as an AmeriCorps member at Jefferson, I helped supervise field trips to the Arboretum and Mines of Spain, chaperoned dances, and volunteered at volleyball games and track meets. I also had the opportunity to work with this student everyday during his Science class as well as during 8th hour.
Volunteering with AmeriCorps is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would recommend to anyone. If I could do it another year, I would. I really enjoyed my time here at Jefferson and I’m very glad it was my site.
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Natasha Waters—AmeriCorps 2007
Roosevelt Middle School, Hoover Elementary, Multicultural Family Center
AmeriCorps was the first “job” that has ever changed my life. As a result of this experience, I have grown as an individual and changed my perspective on diversity. I never imagined I would gain so many friendships with people of such a variety of ages and cultures, or learn and also help teach a hip-hop dance group. Before AmeriCorps, I never thought I could help a failing student earn an A, or help a boy gain confidence to inspire him to make friends.
I spent the school year at Roosevelt Middle School, where I was able to educate and help seventh graders grow as individuals. In addition to developing an after school program for 6th-8th graders, I was able to work with a young man failing in math. When I first met him, he was falling asleep in class and uninterested in school. I started working with him daily in math as well as other subjects. I will never forget when he took his first math test after we started working together. Once he saw that he received 100 percent, he had the biggest smile on his face; he was so proud of what he had achieved. He continued to get high scores on tests and raised his grade up to an A. He also started passing all of his other classes and his confidence level sky-rocketed. I am blessed that I was able to help him and will never forget that smile on his face.
During the summer, I worked at the Multicultural Family Center and Hoover Elementary School in third grade, kindergarten, and jumpstart classrooms. We took the kids on many fieldtrips they may not have been able to do otherwise. We went hiking, swimming, mini golfing, and more. I had more fun during AmeriCorps than I could have ever imagined! Most importantly, I learned about how much each and every one of us can offer.
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Nicole Kuhlmann—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Irving Elementary School and Presentation Lantern Center
AmeriCorps has changed my life. Each day, each child, each new responsibility, and each familiar task has shaped me and elevated me to a higher state of self. Because of my experiences with AmeriCorps, I am a wiser student, a more confident and competent worker, and a better informed and more concerned citizen. Through AmeriCorps I have made many connections and been touched by so many individuals. And I know in my heart that I have made a lasting impact in the lives of others as well.
At Irving, I worked with a variety of children ranging in age from kindergarten to fourth grade. I performed math and reading interventions with first graders, taught an advanced fourth grade spelling class, facilitated a third grade reading group, and encouraged proper classroom behavior and the use of appropriate social skills with kindergarteners. I was also asked to create and conduct a Friendship Circle with a group of girls who were having repeated conflicts. This allowed me to partially experience the role of an elementary guidance counselor and led me to my decision to pursue a masters degree in school counseling.
At the Presentation Lantern Center, I tutored English to adults from across the globe. While I was teaching a language, I received lessons in culture, perseverance, and the beauty of the human spirit. I was blessed by amazing friendships with people from Taiwan, India, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia.
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Peter Yoches—AmeriCorps 2006
Audubon Elementary School/Playground and Epworth Youth Center
As an AmeriCorps volunteer at Audubon Elementary school, I provided academic and literacy support by giving students one-on-one attention, reading with them, and using a variety of media to help build students’ knowledge of U.S. culture.
Involved with the students outside of the classroom as well, I promoted extracurricular activities by supervising Audubon’s quilting club and chess club, where I helped develop the students’ creativity and critical thinking skills in a fun environment. In addition, I learned what the kids were passionate about and stoked their energy by asking them about their interests. Some days, the best thing I could do to help a student was listen and smile and ask how their day was going.
During the three-week program at the Epworth Youth Center, another AmeriCorps member and I helped a group of pre-teens establish themselves as Youth Center leaders by providing them time, materials, and a forum for their input into Youth Center activities. At Epworth, we gave children the opportunity to let loose in a safe, supervised environment. We ran science programs that were didactic, hands-on, and enjoyable for all ages.
Leading and organizing games and activities on the Audubon playground during the summer was an opportunity for me to be a kid again, as well as help children learn and develop their skills in a variety of games. My most lasting impression of AmeriCorps is knowing that for many children I was a constant presence at school and events around the city and that the kids felt a sense of security because of this.
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Rachel Urbain—AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Prescott Elementary School and the Multicultural Family Center
When I began AmeriCorps, I did not know what to expect. I thought it was going to be just like every other job. However, my placement in a third grade classroom at Prescott Elementary School proved me otherwise. Even though I felt as though I made a difference in the students’ lives, I believe that I learned more from these kids than they learned from me.
When I walked into Prescott at the beginning of my service term, I felt as though it was my first day of third grade again. I had butterflies in my stomach because I was so nervous and excited. Thankfully, twenty amazing children welcomed me with open arms. In addition to teaching spelling and assisting the children in other subjects, I vowed that I would meet and get to know every student in the classroom individually.
During the summer, I led a reading program at the Multicultural Family Center. We were detectives every week, solving new, exciting crimes. We also made fun crafts and learned lots of new games. Besides leading the reading program, I helped plan the Multicultural Family Center’s second anniversary celebration, which featured a steel drum band and lots of international food!
AmeriCorps was an amazing experience that I would do over and over again if I could. I learned so much. So many people touched my life, and I hope I did the same for others. I would not change anything about my term; everything was done for a reason, and I learned from both the good and the bad. There were many challenges I had to overcome, but I am pleased with the experience I had during my 900 hours of service. I am honored that I was able to be an AmeriCorps member.
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Teanna E. Cardin – AmeriCorps 2006-2007
Carnegie Stout Public Library
In reflection of my final term of AmeriCorps, I am proud to remember all the wonderful things I have accomplished over my time with the program. After my first term I set goals for myself, all of which I reached. These goals included creating my own summer reading program, getting to know more school children on a first name basis and increasing outreach numbers immensely.
When I entered the AmeriCorps program, I never would have thought I would learn so much and meet so many people. I learned that service to the community should be an ongoing commitment. After collaborating with so many different community members for various events, I have found that some of my contacts have positions available, which I might qualify for. AmeriCorps has opened up a world of opportunities for me socially and educationally.
Overall, my AmeriCorps experience is one that I would not trade for the world.
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Valerie Flynn – AmeriCorps Fall 2006
Washington Middle School
When I first joined AmeriCorps, I did so with the hope of making a difference in a child’s life, both academically and psychologically, by being a teacher and a mentor. My primary goal was to make a positive impact on at least one child; to inspire him/her by being a good role model and serving as a supportive, proud adult in his/her life. I believe that I have exceeded that goal, as I have positively influenced not one, but multiple students, serving as both teacher and mentor. Moreover, the students at Washington Middle School, far exceeding my expectations, have made an irreversibly positive impact on me.
One student I became close to, Tyler, had what he referred to as “anger problems” and self-esteem issues. One day Tyler told me he hated life. Consequently, Tyler and I sat down and listed the things that deterred him the most in his life. It was revealed that his two biggest issues were his poor grades, which he attributed to his lack of organization, and his anger. As a result, Tyler and I created sticker charts, and every day that he didn’t act impulsively, had all of his papers in the proper folder, and remembered to bring his assignments to class, he could pick out a sticker and put it on a calendar we devised. After 30 stickers, Tyler and I had a mini-party during his free hour. This went over very well and Tyler said that he has even carried his new-found calm attitude into his home life. As a result of his organization, his grades also have gone up, and, reflectively, so did his self-esteem.
My experience volunteering with AmeriCorps was, by and large, the most rewarding educational opportunity I have had to date. After only one week of volunteering at Washington Middle School, I was convinced that teaching was absolutely my calling, and this conviction was only amplified as my service through AmeriCorps continued. Furthermore, it also helped to mold me into a more confident teacher. When I started my student teaching experience, I already had over 300 hours of in-the-classroom experience under my belt. I believe that I owe much of my success as a student teacher to my experience volunteering with AmeriCorps, working with such diverse, exceptional group of students and faculty.
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5/25/2007