Ayelen AguiarOliver Hoover Elementary SchoolMrs. Patino 4th grade Language A.

My Service Hours ProjectWhen the time came to do my service hours, I

decided to go to Claude Pepper Elementary School. I did my community hours there for high school and wanted to continue with the people that welcomed me. When I arrived to the main office, with a HUGE smile on my face ready to get this thing started, the front desk lady was very rude and I did not feel welcomed. They said they weren’t doing that and to leave. I went back to my car crying. When I got home, I decided to e-mail the vice principal and share my story. She apologized said there was no more space, but to come back next semester. So, I decided to go toOliver Hoover Elementary. I did not pick the teacher, instead I was assigned. I was assigned to help Mrs. Patino: 4th grade language arts teacher.

Oliver Hoover Elementary

Mission: The mission of Oliver Hoover Elementary School is to make learning exciting, productive, and a vital part of each child's life.

Journal #1

My first day went great, I got to speak with Mrs. Patino and get to know each other during lunch break. We had many things in common and then the kids arrived to class. She presented me to the class and I introduced myself, the children had many questions about me and I answer a handful. My first day I just inspected, walked around, helped and studied the students.

Journal #2I enjoyed my first days of service hours

so much that I found myself spending hours with Mrs. Patino’s class every other day! (I wish I could’ve gone everyday!) I went Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I decided to go those days because I wanted to know the homework the students were assigned each Monday. Wednesdays because Mrs. Patino would catch up and tutor these days since the kids will go home early, and so I would help her. And Fridays because… well, who doesn’t love Fridays?

Journal #3I graded papers, helped students, and was an

all teacher’s assistant. Other teachers would visit Mrs. Patino and would want to take me with them to grade papers, which I was relieved once Mrs. Patino would get greedy and say “no, she’s mine”.

Mrs. Patino was chosen head of the teacher department this school year. One of her many jobs was to organize all 4th grade reading books to pack up and send them back since they were getting new books. I offered my help and we managed to box around 15 boxes that day.

Journal #4I was very glad when I found out that one

of the Fridays I attended was “Jersey Day”. I saw Jerseys from all over the states (NFL, NBA, MLB), to all over the world. It was great seeing students from different countries and states. I thought it was great! Overall, I am taking a course on “Diversity Education” and it all fit very well. We had a little activity with the students. The students that had worn a jersey that day would share with us something traditional from their country, and if they wore a jersey from a team in a different state, we asked to share what was different, or why they liked that team. These are some of the jerseys I saw around school from different countries.

Journal #5My work was not all grading papers, helping

students and walking around the classroom. I also had a chance to teach the kids. I wouldn’t necessarily call it “teaching” but I read along, stop at every paragraph, ask the Key Questions, explain , and make sure they understand. I thought it was exciting and I was more than glad to know that Mrs. Patinotrusted me with her kids. (She was obviously sitting in the back of the room)

Journal #6When the end of the nine-weeks came

along, Mrs. Patino was running around like a headless chicken. I decided take some weight off her shoulders and grade some papers. She was so behind, It took me two hours to grade all her papers! I had a migraine for two days. This was not a joke, I even reconsidered about becoming a teacher. For me, that was a lot to grade. Hopefully I won’t have to go through that again.

Journal #7Overall, I had a great time with Mrs.

Patino and her class. I was in shock to see a fourth grade Language Arts class so anticipated to learn and participate in class. Well mannered children that will not interrupt their teacher nor classmates. I definitely did not see that when I was in school. No second thought, I will go back and help out Mrs. Patino with anything she needs. Reading and Language Arts is not my cup of tea, so I will like to go to math class next time I have to do service hours.