Initially going into the Village Project I had honestly low-ish standards. I was just probably not in tune with it all because I know I preferably want to be with older kids going into my time as an educator. But like many things going into college, I learned I will be surprised a lot. Coming to the end of this semester, I am extremely grateful for my experience with the Village Project.
Here are my ten takeaways:
- Let go of what you think it will be like! Be more open to what this is going to offer you.
- Give yourself, and you kiddo some patience. You are both trying to figure out what works, it takes some time to reach a point of being comfortable
- Being prepared for a lesson looks different for each person. Some things work for other tutors, that doesn’t work for me.
- Know that things can change! Not having my kid show up for the first lesson was simply a bump-in-the-road. You can still make progress and be where we need to be.
- You are showing up for people- not for just yourself. Missing a day means your kid misses a day. (I never missed a day but I definitely wanted to at times)
- This is bigger than you think! Working with a community, you’re affecting the community. Be the good image for St. Norbert, and for yourself.
- Learn to listen to what your kid is saying to you. If they are out of it, you can hear it in their voice without them telling you.
- Don’t get discouraged if one day was “bad.” It does not make you less of a educator or your student a less of a learner.
- Listen to the people ahead of you!! Don’t take people who have real experience for granted- especially when they are there to help you.
- Appreciate where you are now. This is the beginning of a long road. Someday I’ll look back and miss getting stressed about these 30 minute lessons.
