student service learner reflection paper
DESCRIPTION
A reflection paper that I wrote about during my time as an SSL (Student Service Learner) in a Geometry class.TRANSCRIPT
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Student Service Learner Reflection Paper
Victor Martin Friday, January 9, 2015 Fourth Block
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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
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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
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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
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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.