The First Experience

I waited in my car for a few minutes nervously waiting to go into the Johnson School in Bridgeport.  I was not expecting to be nervous but after I parked my car, I suddenly felt a pit in my stomach, reluctant to walk into the school and begin my first afternoon with the third graders.  I walked into the school and was immediately welcomed warmly by the staff that helped me get to where I needed to be, only to meet the nicest woman who kept the kids in line, Miss Ivy.  My nerves had vanished about the unknown, I was told that I would help them by checking their homework, and then we can go to play time, if the students had finished their work.  I did not realize how quickly I would recognize which needed more help than others needed, and it was quickly visible to see how much attention others needed so desperately.  It was both interesting and sad to see that others clearly did not receive much attention at home.  One boy, N, I will refer to him as, was constantly tugging on my arm to tell me he needed help with homework, yet he knew how to do it all perfectly.  As the afternoon progressed and I was able to work with another boy, G, I saw how different learning styles and methods are among the children.  I had never really experienced this before, as I went through  high school  I usually was with other students around my ability, and when I tutor it is individually so I don’t see how differently others learned from each other.  I tried so hard to help G understand the material, but he was much slower than the others were and with the stimulation and excitement in the classroom it became even more difficult for him to focus, eventually he tried to give up.  I learned later that he and his twin were in different grades, because he was much slower.  It tug on my heart to see him try so hard, but then realize quickly how much of an influence other kids have on each other and pick on each other intensely knowing their differences.  At times, it was difficult to stay patient and kind, because the little kids angered me, but you have to stay polite to help them get their work done.  They get very rough with each other, but it is always clear whom the ringleader is, that would be D, who encouraged others, who were normally good kids that did their work, to act up, flipping over chairs and yelling across the room.  After we finished homework, it was rewarding to see G get his work done and actually understand how to do it, and then enjoy his playtime, which I know without my help he may have been stuck working on his homework while the others went to the computer lab.  It was my first visit, so it was a learning experience initially in many areas working with children from so many different backgrounds, naturally I am often sheltered by the area I grew up in and I am glad I have been given this experience to become more acquainted with children with disabilities and see how they interact and function with each other.  The kids are so good at heart and I really enjoyed being a factor in helping them be good to each other as well.  I am excited to see how different my experience will be next week when the kids know me and recognize me, I hope I can help even more, as well as try to understand the kids even more!