Service if inspected as a derivative of the Latin noun servus, servi means slave. However, serving ones community shouldn’t be a burden nor a forced experience. With open arms and a welcoming heart an individual should approach the act of serving their community. Community service is a time for one to humble him or herself and graciously give back. In fact, in Bavarian servus tantamounts to “hello”. Therefore, community service unlike its common association of torture and chains by many students, should be welcomed. It should be greeted with munificence and gratitude. For it allows an individual to embellish and strengthen the foundation of their community by mending the fractures, as well as to sculpt their own character and personality.
Throughout my high school career I had cocooned myself in numerous volunteering opportunities, from being a volunteer at a daycare to raising money and awareness for the fights against Cystic Fibrosis and ASL. My experience as a student teacher, however, was the most vibrant paint amongst the palette of colors and tools that life presented me with in order to construct and refine myself.
My first day went something like this:
Sweat ran down my forehead, my knees shook as I walked up the stairs. Every nerve in my brain was screaming, yelling for me to turn around and walk away, but my heart wasn’t yielding. Mama didn’t raise a quitter, nor was I about to run away from my fears. As I willed every muscle of my body to walk up to the classroom door, grabbing the doorknob with a sweaty hand, I hesitated for a second that seemed like eternity. Looking up at the threshold that stood between me and the 5th grade class I was about to teach, I had a choice to make: enter and teach Spanish to fifth graders or run away like a cowering dog with its tail between its legs. However, there was no way anxiety nor fear of public speaking was going to stop me from fulfilling my aspiration.
Warmth and excitement filled my body as I entered the classroom and saw it being illuminated by the excitement and joy shining from my students faces.Their excitement and the idea that I could be of benefit to these children alleviated my fear, and allowed me to introduce myself with ease and begin the lesson.
From that day on I greeted each lesson with great pride and responsibility, teaching my students the basics of Spanish and engaging them in countless games. From “NACHO”(Spanish Bingo), to word searches, and jeopardy my students and I made the most of the Mondays we had together and combined knowledge and entertainment for the benefit of both parties. Together we would discuss new topics and incorporate various learning styles making sure each student was taking part in the lessons and didn’t feel left behind. As the fifth graders gained knowledge, I expanded as an individual, teacher, friend, and mentor.
Student Teaching bestowed me with an opportunity to repay my community for everything it has done for children like me. I was able able to assist others just like others had done to me in the past. Looking back on my childhood I remember all the happiness that my community was able to instill in me and the boundless smile that was plastered on my face, missing teeth and all. The gratitude I felt radiated throughout my body, reflecting the generosity of those that would help me. Knowing that I’m able to spark the same happiness in others is the greatest gift I could have received from my service. The plethora of work and dedication that this volunteering opportunity required of me , were worth all the sweat and tears. It not only sculpted me into a much more responsible and meticulous individual, allowing me to grown as a leader, but with every lesson I was able to nourish the knowledge of my students. I was able to see their intellect and curiosity burgeon, and drown in their smiles. My service was just as potent of a service to myself as it was as a community. I was able to make others happy, consequently allowing happiness to blossom within myself.
Keep On Wandering,
Tamara Barbakova