Project MARS/AmeriCorps collects “Great Stories” from its members in which they reflect on their experiences mentoring in the classroom and the progress they see students making before school let out for the summer. This month’s story was written by Alex Reed.
This is my first year as an AmeriCorps member and my first year living in the western North Carolina area. Serving at a school like Artspace Charter School has really allowed me to settle into the experience and feel much more at home. I would say that the biggest impact I have made is with the kindergarten class I work with when they are in drama class. I help out on Friday mornings, so most of the kindergarten children are still waking up or just in grumpy moods.
On one Friday in September. there was a child who we will call L who refused to pay attention during class and was off in his own world. I took him away from class to talk with him about why he wasn’t participating, and L responded that he wanted to go home and be with his mom. I explained that he wouldn’t be able to go home.
After a while we just started talking about his favorite character Mario. Having played Mario games in the past, I was able to make a connection with L and make him feel better. After about 15 minutes he was ready to return to drama class and did so with a great attitude. I feel that my interaction with L made his day much better, and because of it he has been much better this past month.
