Today was an eventful Wednesday! Instead of having class for our Pre-Practicum class for TEP, we observed a college level class in our discipline, so I observed Professor Cecil’s Calculus 1 class. Even though I have him as a professor this semester, I am usually too busy copying notes and trying to understand new concepts that I am unaware of the teaching strategies he implements into his lessons. By observing, I realized that all of the little things he does in class, even just using different color chalk, are done intentionally to make the new material clearer.

After observing Professor Cecil’s class, I went straight to my class with him and then to get a flu shot. I had a short block of free time before I hosted a SPUD reflection for my program directors. I am one of the interns for the After School and Educational Opportunities Cluster, so I oversee program directors who work with Nativity School of Worcester, African Community Education (ACE), AVID at Burncoat High School and North High School, Pernet Youth Group, Pernet After-School, and Salvation Army Tutoring.

Since SPUD has so many members and sites, it is nice to get together with my program directors as often as I can to touch base and to hear what they are doing at their sites and if they have made new friendships with the people they work alongside. These reflections bring the work we do back on campus and bring life to the attendance log including all 46 sites.

After one more class and some time for homework, I was excited to get off campus to go to my second SPUD site, the Nativity School. Last year, I worked with a member of the Mveng class who is now in the sixth grade, and this year, I am working with a member of the Grande class who is in fifth grade.

This past summer, I was fortunate to work at Nativity through the SPUD Summer Internship Program. Nativity has an extended school year, so for three weeks in July, students come to school for Summer of Service. The school day comprises of math, reading, and service learning classes in the morning and then off campus service site visits in the afternoon.

I worked with the sixth grade during the morning and then a group of fifth, sixth, and seventh graders in the afternoon. I loved getting to know all of the students and am grateful that I get to continue working with them throughout the school year. The faculty, administrators, and fellows taught me so much about what it means to be a teacher, the inner-workings of a school, and the importance of dedication to one’s mission statement.

Nativity’s strong community stems from the dedication all members have to the four pillars: strength, scholarship, character, and service, and I am grateful to be part of it.