Student Service Learner Reflection Paper

Victor Martin Friday, January 9, 2015 Fourth Block

During these nine weeks, I had a really interesting time being a Student

Service Learner at my school. At times, working with the students in the class was

pretty fun and a lot like working with your own friends. However, there were multiple

times where it was completely difficult to work with them. Even though I had a short

experience with the class for only half of the semester, I have learned what it takes to

be an excellent, and successful, SSL.

Of my first days in Mrs. Pfaltzgraff’s class, I was pretty much nervous, but

excited: I was actually going to help my fellow classmates! The subject of the class

was Geometry, something I have learned a few years back when I was a sophomore.

However, there was catch to this job: most of the students in the class paid no

attention to the teacher and took no notes at all. This was my very first time

experiencing students always on their phones and not doing classwork or even

quizzes. So I went to help one student that used his phone as a calculator, and the

teacher didn’t mind at all. Things went from a bit unusual and awkward to more

sophisticated and friendlier. This student was nothing compared to the rest of the

others, because he wanted to get a good grade in the class. He showed me some of the

grades he got when I wasn’t there, and they were not bad, but he could put more

effort into it. The good news is that he does all of his homework in that class, so I

don’t have to tell him once to complete it. After many weeks, we were on a chapter

that I specifically helped him the whole time I was there. After the test, he exceeded

well, which I proved to successfully help him and make him do his best. While I did

help other students with their work and other activities, this student was the one I had

the best relations with. It was really because he understood that I was here to help.

Now, some of the other students that I helped were rude, where they disrespected or

even disobeyed me when I told them to do their work. Although, however, some of

the times they just had nothing to do when and just went along and took notes when I

told them to do so. I really just wish that students that act like this could just treat

others the way they wanted to be treated, and things will usually go their way. Trying

to treat others, especially a student who is sent to this classroom to help someone like

them, is really not appropriate. And all that basically took place before Winter Break,

too. However, I do have to say that things got much better interacting with the rest of

the students during the New Year. Most of the students that were usually on their

phones or procrastinating were really asking for help, to not just Mrs. Pfaltzgraff, but

to me as well! I guess their grades were at the point that they have to bring it up

before the end of the semester, which is really beginning to near all of us. Though

there were many rough edges throughout my journey, I do have to say that this was a

great elective to do if a student has the potential to help others and have great

leadership. I got to observe the class as if I was a teacher myself, and I got help from

every corner of the classroom, meaning that my skills or something that really got

them busy in the classroom. I am very glad I did this, though I am a little disappointed

that I didn’t do this all semester long.

My work as a Student Service Learner really benefited others, because they

had someone that was around the same age as they were, helping with them and how

some of the students’ grades have been improving because of my guidance. I realized

that I actually have the skills to be leader, just by helping others out. I also realized

that I have enough kindness and confidence to show the students with appropriate

behavior and manners when in the classroom. To me, the most meaningful experience

during my time as an SSL was most likely when a student that I was working with for

a couple weeks became a good friend to me and got everything right on a test. It was

the his first A so far, so he was very surprised. I felt that taking time and trying to

help him review for that test really did the trick for him. When I first did this career

field, I really didn’t know what to expect, but I read the rubric so I can be as polite

and deferential as possible. Now that I have gone nine weeks with this job, I learned a

lot about what it takes to be an SSL. You need to the patience to help a student out,

even if they behave terribly on you. Sometimes they’ll realize that what they are

doing is wrong once you start ignoring their verbal violence, and they’ll respect you

since they actually do need help. I have had that happen to me during my experience,

and the student is a bit more thankful for me helping them with an assignment or

something. I feel that she realizes that she won’t get any better at anything if she gets

some help.

The Student Service Learner is a very unique and inspiring career field that

you can do at Fredreick High School. I have had a great experience with the class I

was in. It was Geometry, one of my favorite subjects, and the teacher, Mrs.

Pfaltzgraff, was definitely thankful to have someone like me in her classroom. At first

there were many issues that started with the students, but as time progresses, they

were more willing to have me help them. I do have to say that the aftermath of all of

this will be very successful, if you have the confidence, loyalty, and patience to help

and lead others to obtain or achieve their goals and it can leave you feeling pleased

and satisfied in the end. Even though my time as an SSL was very short, I will always

remember that I actually experience a time where I became an aid to other students,

relying on my knowledge and gratitude, so I can be as obliging enough to them, and it

felt very special and brilliant to me, and for the sake of others.