Each semester, Project MARS/AmeriCorps collects “Great Stories,” in which its members reflect on their experiences mentoring in the classroom and the progress they see students making. This month’s story comes from Josiah Phillips
My great story is not just about the kids I’m serving. It is also about the staff I’m serving around too.
Covid 19 had hit the place that I’m serving hard, which is Robbinsville Elementary. Me and my family got put in quarantine for 2 weeks, and during that time, the staff I serve with checked up on me every day. They are just like my family because that is the only thing you are gonna have when times get tough.
Another one of my great stories is just really seeing all the kids. I’m not really connected with one kid. I’m connected to many kids. It does seem when I walk into a classroom, every kid just smiles and says “yay, you’re teacher today!” That is why we serve to let kids have something to look forward to. To have someone they can look up and try to make everything more fun.
My goal every day – if I can make one kid smile then I have completed what I set out to do.
