An accredited course (SOC 110) studying the history, practice, and philosophy of volunteering - an exciting part of Young Judaea and FZY's Year Course.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Journal Week 2
Hey Folks - hope you are having a great Sukkot festival. Reminder that on Sunday the 7th you have another journal entry due. Chag Samach
This week we did not volenteer at our normal placements. I was volenteering at an army base in the North for two and a half days. This was a new experience for me because I had not been on an army base before and I definetly had an opinion on what an army base should and would be like. We arrived on the base in a bus and we parked on the side of the road. Next to the gate there were soldiers who were supposed to be gaurding the base. Instead of doing this they were joking around with eachother, pushing and shoving playfuly with their weapons on their backs. After awhile we were given a brief intro to what we would be doing. The soldier told us we would be working along side the soldiers at the base and assisting them with their work. On the first day of work I was shocked to see a group of soldiers lounging out in the shade drinking juice while their comander was shouting at them to get work... They shouted back "It is drinking time". At that point I dropped all my expectations. I thought the army was meant to be the most disciplined place in the world but I was wrong. During my stay I noticed more and more occassions like this and it became routine. The soldiers had no passion but more importantly, no understanding for what they were doing. When we went in to the army base we knew that whatever work we did would help a soldier in combat. The soldiers already there had clearly forgotten this. I think that I have learned from this that is is important for a worker or volenteer to understand exactly who and how they will be helping in order for a good job to be done.
Before I left for Year Course a few members of my synagogue gave me 'mitzvah dollars,' tzedakah money for me to donate while here, and these bills are still sitting in my purse. As I type this I'm sitting at a computer in the library of the school at which I volunteer. The computer is perfectly serviceable, but a stark contrast from the top-of-the-line iMacs found in the multiple computer labs of my old school district. I'm starting to feel a connection with this school and wouldn't mind putting my mitzvah dollars to use here; the computer on which I'm typing has spurred some cogitation about how exactly this money should be spent- and what a school needs to successfully teach its students.
To be sure, a multitude of shiny new computers make a school look nice, and can be a great tool in some classes. Perhaps (I'm speculating here) they represent something a kid can be proud of, or excited about, and subconcsciously compel students to work a bit harder. But looking back on my own high school career, the classes in which I learned the most and lessons I learned most from used computers sparingly or supplementally- particularly language classes in which interaction is most valuable. Discussions and other activities with classmates and with my teachers taught me much more than a few games and exercizes on the computer, and allowed the teacher (as well as myself) to assess my development much more holistically. As a non-expert giving her opinion only based on experience, I would say that a school certainly has a need for computers, but it should not be a priority to have a large number of new models. Rather, it would seem funds should be allocated in areas that would allow for more of that interaction that I, at least, found so important to my education.
This interaction is more easily facilitated in smaller classes than larger, and a plethora of studies have extolled the value of a more intimate classroom. One could say, then, that money might be better spent hiring teachers so that classes might be taught with fewer children. However (again, drawing only from my own experiences), I attended two very different high schools simultaneously, both with teacher-student ratios of about 1:3. Even with the similar ratios, I enjoyed vastly different levels of interaction (both with other students and the teachers) and hence quality of education at the two schools. One high school was designed in a way that allowed the teachers to maximize flexibility of lesson plans, allowing for various structures which accomodated for the varying learning styles of students- particularly in ways that increase the interaction I found so valuable. Drawing upon the same pool of resources, this school used its resources, i.e. teaching staff, more effectively. I would recommend that rather than hiring more teachers, funds be dedicated to helping these teachers take most advantage of their roles.
There are infinite factors which influence the quality of a student's education, many of which I've probably never been presented with the opportunity to consider. However, with this start, given my logic I would perhaps suggest that schools spend money on teacher workshops to help them develop new ways to work within this traditional school structure, or perhaps even to change the structure. Unfortunately I need to leave now for my next class, so I don't have time to go into the flaws I see in a traditional school structure, or the ideas my old teachers used that I found so effective, but I've already written a short novel here so I'll leave those for next week, unless my time volunteering here shows me a new facet to my work to which I haven't given pause before.
Over the past few more times that I have volunteered, it has definently been getting better and better. I find it alot easier to communicate with the kids and with the teachers, maybe because my hebrew is improving or maybe it is because I have found new ways of communicating with the people around me. I have really taken a great liking for all of the kids and I am truly starting to grow strong bonds with some of them. I always try and make sure that I am there for them and try to help them in any way I can be of assistance. I feel like I can make a big impact on their lives because maybe some of them do not have a really good, loving family and when they are at school, I want them to feel like there is someone who cares for them and wants to make them feel special. As for the teachers, I have really tried alot harder to get to know them and to try and grow a strong bond with them. In the beginning, I was really worried that the language barrier would be a big concern of mine. At this point in time, I really feel like I have been doing really well with communicating with them and the kids. I have tried communicating with body language and I feel like it has helped with me alot. I am really excited to keep on volunteering and I hope that the teachers give me even more responsibility to be able to plan activites and to be able to really feel like I have a big part in the gan.
The last week has been a non-stop fun party, but today I resumed my volunteer duties. I dragged myself out of bed this morning around 7:00 only to find that there was no hot water. I sucked it up, showered cold, and put my smile on because it was my first day back on the job, and I wanted to start on a postive note. Today's routine was no different than any other day. We went through the usual activities of glueing and cutting and coloring. During "meeting" time I had a bit of a hard time keeping my head up, but I did it. And then, around 11:00 we made our way outside to the playground were I played in the sand box for two hours. There were a few differences today. One was that the teachers seemed very warm and happy to see me this morning. We exchanged stories about our vacations and I could tell that they felt more comfortable with me. Throughout the day they would ask me to do this or that, and it made me glad because I want to be of as much use as possible. Another difference I noticed today was that I found myself more comfortable and able to speak Hebrew. I guess that would just be a result of spending more time in the country, but it really makes a big differance. At the end of the day, things felt pretty much that same. I am still struggling with boredom and the feeling of being not needed. Today there was a one on one ratio of helper to child. I am trying to make the best out of playground time which is spent with the other Gan and I really get a kick out those kids.
Today was one of the most interesting days at Gan Ha Onia. This morning as Tali and I sat together playing building blocks with the children a woman walked in with a portfolio and starting speaking to Sigal (our teacher). Apparently she was a social worker sent by the education director in Bat Yam to observe our troubled little Ethiopian, Egal. He should be in a special needs gan but his careless mother has yet to move him so Sigal notified the social worker to help her. He was doing really well at first showing the social worker some flowers that Sigal had picked and then as time went by his tantrums began. The social worker documented everything she saw and it was really interesting to see her work with him. It made me happy that Sigal cared enough about Egal to find him help. His mother supposedly took him to a doctor to find out why he cannot speak correctly but she “lost the documents.” After the usual morning activities of plato, connects, paints, and basic coloring the kids sat down for snack. On the menu today was bread with hummus, tuna, or cheese. Our second visitor of the day was Eliot, my madrich, he came to do his check up on our volunteering and we told him all about our funny stories with the kids. During his visit we showed him around and told him about the activities we do with the kids and gave him a little background on a few of the children. Eliot even agreed that our children were definitely the cutest. Gathering their water bottles and hats the kids ran outside to play and we took our spots in the sandbox waiting for our usual sand “cakes” and “pies” that they make for us. It was a happening day at the Gan during recess we had three more visitors! The repair men for the playground dropped in to look around at the equipment and to check the sand. You would have thought that three celebrities stepped in because they kids went absolutely crazy over the work men. They all gathered around asking all sorts of questions about their jobs and following after their steps. Some of the children wanted to know if the men were staying to attend school with them it was really funny. Egal went to walk around with the men while they did their inspection, he even held their hands. It was so different to see him be so friendly to a complete stranger. It shows that he doesn’t have terrible social problems, he is a very friendly boy I think he just lacks love at home. I think the perfect teacher for Egal is one to help him speak and respond in conversations. The men took care of their inspection for probably thirty minutes and the kids sat and watched in amazement. One of the funniest moments that I have had at the gan was laughing at the children as they rushed after the repair men. It was almost as if the men had candy secretly hidden in their pockets. The day went by a lot faster than usual because of all the excitement with the kids. I am really starting to get comfortable at volunteering. As my Hebrew improves each day I enjoy playing with the children more and more.
Dear Journal, I recently began volunteering at Ohavim, a Bat Yam soup kitchen that also has a small discounted clothing shop open a few times a week. At 11:30 the scene outside Ohavim begins picking up. Ohavim opens for lunch at 12:00, but many of the regulars come early to socialize. When I arrive in the morning I begin by cutting fresh vegetables for a salad that feeds over fifty people. The salad is always the same, so I asked my supervisor, “Yael, why we don’t add some dressings, spices or olive oil?” She explained that many that come have some health problems and can’t eat a lot of salts, fats etc., so they try and keep all the foods as basic as possible. After I cut the salad, I usually do some odd jobs around the kitchen: cooking some of the food, cleaning the facilities, and watering the grass. The fun starts when the rush of people come to eat at Noon. Everybody that comes pays five shekalim, and while these meager funds only cover some minor maintenance fees, it helps the “customers” save some of their pride. Meal time is always exciting for me. I’m getting familiar with the regular customers and their unusual requests: feed a blind man, serve a plate of nothing but potatoes, place the departed dining mates leftovers in a doggy-bag. I’ve realized that many of the people that come have fluctuating lives, with years of happiness and steady jobs, but also with years of unemployment and depression. One of my coworkers, Chaim, explained that one of the people that comes to eat used to be the head of a company with two-hundred employees, but his company struggled, and now he has to eat at Ohavim. Others have gotten sick recently and find it easier to have meals cooked for them. Some come simply for the convenience, such as Moshe, a short toothless man who claims to be best friends with Larry bird. These people have no financial problems or difficulty making their own meals, however enjoy being in the Ohavim environment. When I first started volunteering at Ohavim, I was tempted to switch. Much of the work seemed menial and I felt my talents were better utilized elsewhere. I’m still not sure if I’m being challenged and if my skills are actually being utilized; however, I have realized that they really do need help at this soup kitchen. The people who usually work at Ohavim, and other volunteers who join us, really try as hard as they can to create a great experience for the people who come for meals. I envisioned soup kitchens as grimy places with long lines of people waiting for sloppy spoonfuls of mystery meat. Clearly I was wrong, as Ohavim really does a great job creating a friendly environment and hospitable atmosphere where the people who come are actually enjoy their time here and are treated with respect.
i tried emailing it but i woke up this morning and i got an email back saying it did work so im posting it here now.
In due of all the holidays I have unfortunately have not been to my volunteer placement in two weeks, until today. I’m unsure if they were as well of for the whole holiday that I was but there were a lot of piled up items people had dropped off. I mean stacks as high as the ceiling and as wide as my apartment living room. I was really surprised. I don’t know what it was but the only explanation, after thinking it over in my head, I could come up with is because I never see very wealthy people in Israel, most of the people I’ve seen in this area are average or below average people and families. And I just can’t imagine people that don’t have much to begin with would give things away. It surprised me but I loved it. It reminds me of something my dad always said to me that I still carry with me. He always told me that when he can give he does. For example, even though my dad was mad at our rabbi he still donated when they called because he could and that was the point, you know. He will when he can and that’s really all you can ask from someone. It’s strange to me that I still hear his words while I’m here in Israel because it was so important for me to get away from him by coming here. It’s really hard to explain my thoughts about my father without getting into the my issues with him, but I think it’s important that I saw what I saw today. I’m some odd way it reinforced my faith in my dad. Although off topic, I’ve come to not have faith in my father’s words and I guess it relieves me to remember that he still is a good guy, all because I saw a pile of other people’s junk that I barely noticed.
I tried to email this but it sent me an error message back. this is the redo.
I work in a special needs school. The kids range in ages 6-21 years old. I mostly work with a class of 13-16 year olds. The kids emotional and social development appears to be at about a middle school level. However, their academic abilities are around first or second grade levels. After working with them I've found that verbal and audio learning works very well for them. They have trouble when they are given a worksheet. Most of the kids in my class cannot write at all and can only read a little bit, if anything. When they are given worksheets they struggle a lot. I work a lot with a boy named Marion. He cannot write, but if there is something to circle he works very hard to do it himself. He cannot read at all. When I do worksheets with him, I write for him as he tells me what to write. I know that he understands the material and has the ability to answer the questions because once you have his attention he gives the correct answer. He really struggles to concentrate though. As many children do, he prefers to talk and pay attention to everything other than the worksheet. He is very easily distracted, especially when challenged with a worksheet. Beyond the academics, I think Hertzfeld is an incredible school. The environment in the school is amazingly caring and loving. When the students and teachers interact you can see on their faces how much they mean to each other. When a teacher walks into the room the kids shout her name and their faces light up. And the care that the teachers show towards the kids displays why their students love them. The teacher in my class is Tiki. She may very well be one of the best teachers I've met. When she talks her passion emanates throughout the room. Her tone of voice, pace of speaking and body language make one want to listen, even if she's speaking a foreign language. She is also wonderful to work with because she really wants to get involve me in the classroom and she appreciates what I do. Her English is good, which I've noticed is the largest barrier with the teachers in the school. The teachers who do not speak English well or at all are much less willing to warm up to us or involve us in the classroom. I understand that speaking another language is hard, but they just seem so afraid of English that is can be frustrating to work with them. I find myself loving the school more and more everyday. Both the children and the teachers make Hertzfeld what it is. -Liza Mole
I am an educator who has been living in Israel since 2001. Since 2005, I have been collaborating for the Lookstein Center for Jewish Education in the Diaspora
8 comments:
This week we did not volenteer at our normal placements. I was volenteering at an army base in the North for two and a half days. This was a new experience for me because I had not been on an army base before and I definetly had an opinion on what an army base should and would be like. We arrived on the base in a bus and we parked on the side of the road. Next to the gate there were soldiers who were supposed to be gaurding the base. Instead of doing this they were joking around with eachother, pushing and shoving playfuly with their weapons on their backs. After awhile we were given a brief intro to what we would be doing. The soldier told us we would be working along side the soldiers at the base and assisting them with their work. On the first day of work I was shocked to see a group of soldiers lounging out in the shade drinking juice while their comander was shouting at them to get work... They shouted back "It is drinking time". At that point I dropped all my expectations. I thought the army was meant to be the most disciplined place in the world but I was wrong. During my stay I noticed more and more occassions like this and it became routine. The soldiers had no passion but more importantly, no understanding for what they were doing. When we went in to the army base we knew that whatever work we did would help a soldier in combat. The soldiers already there had clearly forgotten this. I think that I have learned from this that is is important for a worker or volenteer to understand exactly who and how they will be helping in order for a good job to be done.
Before I left for Year Course a few members of my synagogue gave me 'mitzvah dollars,' tzedakah money for me to donate while here, and these bills are still sitting in my purse. As I type this I'm sitting at a computer in the library of the school at which I volunteer. The computer is perfectly serviceable, but a stark contrast from the top-of-the-line iMacs found in the multiple computer labs of my old school district. I'm starting to feel a connection with this school and wouldn't mind putting my mitzvah dollars to use here; the computer on which I'm typing has spurred some cogitation about how exactly this money should be spent- and what a school needs to successfully teach its students.
To be sure, a multitude of shiny new computers make a school look nice, and can be a great tool in some classes. Perhaps (I'm speculating here) they represent something a kid can be proud of, or excited about, and subconcsciously compel students to work a bit harder. But looking back on my own high school career, the classes in which I learned the most and lessons I learned most from used computers sparingly or supplementally- particularly language classes in which interaction is most valuable. Discussions and other activities with classmates and with my teachers taught me much more than a few games and exercizes on the computer, and allowed the teacher (as well as myself) to assess my development much more holistically. As a non-expert giving her opinion only based on experience, I would say that a school certainly has a need for computers, but it should not be a priority to have a large number of new models. Rather, it would seem funds should be allocated in areas that would allow for more of that interaction that I, at least, found so important to my education.
This interaction is more easily facilitated in smaller classes than larger, and a plethora of studies have extolled the value of a more intimate classroom. One could say, then, that money might be better spent hiring teachers so that classes might be taught with fewer children. However (again, drawing only from my own experiences), I attended two very different high schools simultaneously, both with teacher-student ratios of about 1:3. Even with the similar ratios, I enjoyed vastly different levels of interaction (both with other students and the teachers) and hence quality of education at the two schools. One high school was designed in a way that allowed the teachers to maximize flexibility of lesson plans, allowing for various structures which accomodated for the varying learning styles of students- particularly in ways that increase the interaction I found so valuable. Drawing upon the same pool of resources, this school used its resources, i.e. teaching staff, more effectively. I would recommend that rather than hiring more teachers, funds be dedicated to helping these teachers take most advantage of their roles.
There are infinite factors which influence the quality of a student's education, many of which I've probably never been presented with the opportunity to consider. However, with this start, given my logic I would perhaps suggest that schools spend money on teacher workshops to help them develop new ways to work within this traditional school structure, or perhaps even to change the structure. Unfortunately I need to leave now for my next class, so I don't have time to go into the flaws I see in a traditional school structure, or the ideas my old teachers used that I found so effective, but I've already written a short novel here so I'll leave those for next week, unless my time volunteering here shows me a new facet to my work to which I haven't given pause before.
Over the past few more times that I have volunteered, it has definently been getting better and better. I find it alot easier to communicate with the kids and with the teachers, maybe because my hebrew is improving or maybe it is because I have found new ways of communicating with the people around me. I have really taken a great liking for all of the kids and I am truly starting to grow strong bonds with some of them. I always try and make sure that I am there for them and try to help them in any way I can be of assistance. I feel like I can make a big impact on their lives because maybe some of them do not have a really good, loving family and when they are at school, I want them to feel like there is someone who cares for them and wants to make them feel special.
As for the teachers, I have really tried alot harder to get to know them and to try and grow a strong bond with them. In the beginning, I was really worried that the language barrier would be a big concern of mine. At this point in time, I really feel like I have been doing really well with communicating with them and the kids. I have tried communicating with body language and I feel like it has helped with me alot. I am really excited to keep on volunteering and I hope that the teachers give me even more responsibility to be able to plan activites and to be able to really feel like I have a big part in the gan.
The last week has been a non-stop fun party, but today I resumed my volunteer duties. I dragged myself out of bed this morning around 7:00 only to find that there was no hot water. I sucked it up, showered cold, and put my smile on because it was my first day back on the job, and I wanted to start on a postive note.
Today's routine was no different than any other day. We went through the usual activities of glueing and cutting and coloring. During "meeting" time I had a bit of a hard time keeping my head up, but I did it. And then, around 11:00 we made our way outside to the playground were I played in the sand box for two hours.
There were a few differences today. One was that the teachers seemed very warm and happy to see me this morning. We exchanged stories about our vacations and I could tell that they felt more comfortable with me. Throughout the day they would ask me to do this or that, and it made me glad because I want to be of as much use as possible. Another difference I noticed today was that I found myself more comfortable and able to speak Hebrew. I guess that would just be a result of spending more time in the country, but it really makes a big differance.
At the end of the day, things felt pretty much that same. I am still struggling with boredom and the feeling of being not needed. Today there was a one on one ratio of helper to child. I am trying to make the best out of playground time which is spent with the other Gan and I really get a kick out those kids.
Today was one of the most interesting days at Gan Ha Onia. This morning as Tali and I sat together playing building blocks with the children a woman walked in with a portfolio and starting speaking to Sigal (our teacher). Apparently she was a social worker sent by the education director in Bat Yam to observe our troubled little Ethiopian, Egal. He should be in a special needs gan but his careless mother has yet to move him so Sigal notified the social worker to help her. He was doing really well at first showing the social worker some flowers that Sigal had picked and then as time went by his tantrums began. The social worker documented everything she saw and it was really interesting to see her work with him. It made me happy that Sigal cared enough about Egal to find him help. His mother supposedly took him to a doctor to find out why he cannot speak correctly but she “lost the documents.” After the usual morning activities of plato, connects, paints, and basic coloring the kids sat down for snack. On the menu today was bread with hummus, tuna, or cheese. Our second visitor of the day was Eliot, my madrich, he came to do his check up on our volunteering and we told him all about our funny stories with the kids. During his visit we showed him around and told him about the activities we do with the kids and gave him a little background on a few of the children. Eliot even agreed that our children were definitely the cutest. Gathering their water bottles and hats the kids ran outside to play and we took our spots in the sandbox waiting for our usual sand “cakes” and “pies” that they make for us. It was a happening day at the Gan during recess we had three more visitors! The repair men for the playground dropped in to look around at the equipment and to check the sand. You would have thought that three celebrities stepped in because they kids went absolutely crazy over the work men. They all gathered around asking all sorts of questions about their jobs and following after their steps. Some of the children wanted to know if the men were staying to attend school with them it was really funny. Egal went to walk around with the men while they did their inspection, he even held their hands. It was so different to see him be so friendly to a complete stranger. It shows that he doesn’t have terrible social problems, he is a very friendly boy I think he just lacks love at home. I think the perfect teacher for Egal is one to help him speak and respond in conversations. The men took care of their inspection for probably thirty minutes and the kids sat and watched in amazement. One of the funniest moments that I have had at the gan was laughing at the children as they rushed after the repair men. It was almost as if the men had candy secretly hidden in their pockets. The day went by a lot faster than usual because of all the excitement with the kids. I am really starting to get comfortable at volunteering. As my Hebrew improves each day I enjoy playing with the children more and more.
Dear Journal,
I recently began volunteering at Ohavim, a Bat Yam soup kitchen that also has a small discounted clothing shop open a few times a week. At 11:30 the scene outside Ohavim begins picking up. Ohavim opens for lunch at 12:00, but many of the regulars come early to socialize. When I arrive in the morning I begin by cutting fresh vegetables for a salad that feeds over fifty people. The salad is always the same, so I asked my supervisor, “Yael, why we don’t add some dressings, spices or olive oil?” She explained that many that come have some health problems and can’t eat a lot of salts, fats etc., so they try and keep all the foods as basic as possible. After I cut the salad, I usually do some odd jobs around the kitchen: cooking some of the food, cleaning the facilities, and watering the grass. The fun starts when the rush of people come to eat at Noon. Everybody that comes pays five shekalim, and while these meager funds only cover some minor maintenance fees, it helps the “customers” save some of their pride.
Meal time is always exciting for me. I’m getting familiar with the regular customers and their unusual requests: feed a blind man, serve a plate of nothing but potatoes, place the departed dining mates leftovers in a doggy-bag. I’ve realized that many of the people that come have fluctuating lives, with years of happiness and steady jobs, but also with years of unemployment and depression. One of my coworkers, Chaim, explained that one of the people that comes to eat used to be the head of a company with two-hundred employees, but his company struggled, and now he has to eat at Ohavim. Others have gotten sick recently and find it easier to have meals cooked for them. Some come simply for the convenience, such as Moshe, a short toothless man who claims to be best friends with Larry bird. These people have no financial problems or difficulty making their own meals, however enjoy being in the Ohavim environment.
When I first started volunteering at Ohavim, I was tempted to switch. Much of the work seemed menial and I felt my talents were better utilized elsewhere. I’m still not sure if I’m being challenged and if my skills are actually being utilized; however, I have realized that they really do need help at this soup kitchen. The people who usually work at Ohavim, and other volunteers who join us, really try as hard as they can to create a great experience for the people who come for meals. I envisioned soup kitchens as grimy places with long lines of people waiting for sloppy spoonfuls of mystery meat. Clearly I was wrong, as Ohavim really does a great job creating a friendly environment and hospitable atmosphere where the people who come are actually enjoy their time here and are treated with respect.
i tried emailing it but i woke up this morning and i got an email back saying it did work so im posting it here now.
In due of all the holidays I have unfortunately have not been to my volunteer placement in two weeks, until today. I’m unsure if they were as well of for the whole holiday that I was but there were a lot of piled up items people had dropped off. I mean stacks as high as the ceiling and as wide as my apartment living room. I was really surprised. I don’t know what it was but the only explanation, after thinking it over in my head, I could come up with is because I never see very wealthy people in Israel, most of the people I’ve seen in this area are average or below average people and families. And I just can’t imagine people that don’t have much to begin with would give things away. It surprised me but I loved it. It reminds me of something my dad always said to me that I still carry with me. He always told me that when he can give he does. For example, even though my dad was mad at our rabbi he still donated when they called because he could and that was the point, you know. He will when he can and that’s really all you can ask from someone. It’s strange to me that I still hear his words while I’m here in Israel because it was so important for me to get away from him by coming here. It’s really hard to explain my thoughts about my father without getting into the my issues with him, but I think it’s important that I saw what I saw today. I’m some odd way it reinforced my faith in my dad. Although off topic, I’ve come to not have faith in my father’s words and I guess it relieves me to remember that he still is a good guy, all because I saw a pile of other people’s junk that I barely noticed.
I tried to email this but it sent me an error message back. this is the redo.
I work in a special needs school. The kids range in ages 6-21 years old. I mostly work with a class of 13-16 year olds. The kids emotional and social development appears to be at about a middle school level. However, their academic abilities are around first or second grade levels. After working with them I've found that verbal and audio learning works very well for them. They have trouble when they are given a worksheet. Most of the kids in my class cannot write at all and can only read a little bit, if anything. When they are given worksheets they struggle a lot. I work a lot with a boy named Marion. He cannot write, but if there is something to circle he works very hard to do it himself. He cannot read at all. When I do worksheets with him, I write for him as he tells me what to write. I know that he understands the material and has the ability to answer the questions because once you have his attention he gives the correct answer. He really struggles to concentrate though. As many children do, he prefers to talk and pay attention to everything other than the worksheet. He is very easily distracted, especially when challenged with a worksheet.
Beyond the academics, I think Hertzfeld is an incredible school. The environment in the school is amazingly caring and loving. When the students and teachers interact you can see on their faces how much they mean to each other. When a teacher walks into the room the kids shout her name and their faces light up. And the care that the teachers show towards the kids displays why their students love them. The teacher in my class is Tiki. She may very well be one of the best teachers I've met. When she talks her passion emanates throughout the room. Her tone of voice, pace of speaking and body language make one want to listen, even if she's speaking a foreign language. She is also wonderful to work with because she really wants to get involve me in the classroom and she appreciates what I do. Her English is good, which I've noticed is the largest barrier with the teachers in the school. The teachers who do not speak English well or at all are much less willing to warm up to us or involve us in the classroom. I understand that speaking another language is hard, but they just seem so afraid of English that is can be frustrating to work with them.
I find myself loving the school more and more everyday. Both the children and the teachers make Hertzfeld what it is.
-Liza Mole
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