One Child at a Time: Texas A&M University Reads & Counts
Since January 2011, I have had the opportunity to serve as a Tutor with Texas A&M University’s Reads and Counts program, where I tutor kindergartners through 5th graders in reading and math. This was my very first job, and since beginning it, it has taught me discipline, patience, and understanding. It has also taught me the importance of loving a career, for it has become less of a job and more so an opportunity to explore my passions.
I love children and learning from their innocence. Understanding the world from the eyes of a child brings hopefulness and joy. I knew I was going to love my job, but I was not prepared for learning so many basic things from my job.
Being a working girl takes discipline. Earning a paycheck is a very rewarding feeling, but I've learned that my money can't be spent frivolously. My job qualifies as a work study job, and my earnings go towards paying for my college education. I am blessed that I can stand alongside my parents and support my education that will bring me to our future. I've also come to value other aspects of discipline, such as waking up on time and arriving to work early, going above and beyond my required duties as a tutor, participating in training and research, following the rules and embodying all that our program stands for. When I am a part of something bigger than myself, I have an obligation to put all that I can into my role. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to fulfill these duties for such a worthy cause.
I've become skilled in my job as a tutor. When I work with students, I make each learning opportunity a privilege and help them understand their potential. Not every student learns in the same way. Some of my students are kinesthetic learners, who understand numbers best while counting to jumping or tracing letters with their fingers as they say them. Some of my students are visual learners, and they like to count money by classifying piles of coins and buying stickers from Miss Alyce's Sticker Shop. Others learn best from hearing me explain things to them in a way that makes sense to them. Each student is an individual, and I treat them as such. They are all unique and precious, and have a mind and a body that are capable of big things in the future. I am one lucky girl to play a small part of their big mission called, "Life."
I've also gained a deeper understanding about life from working with my students and teachers. I can appreciate the simple moments, and the more challenging ones. Most of my students do not come from wealthy neighborhoods or stable families. They've trusted me with their fears - "Will Mommy ever come home from jail?" - and their joys - "Miss Alyce, my parents got married this weekend!" There have been times when I've had to take action, and times when there is nothing that I can do but pray for my students and their teachers. I've had students with both mental and physical disabilities, but none of these challenges impede my love for them. Each of my students are gifts in my life, and I'm so thankful for everything they've taught me: from love, patience, understanding, and joy.
I love children and learning from their innocence. Understanding the world from the eyes of a child brings hopefulness and joy. I knew I was going to love my job, but I was not prepared for learning so many basic things from my job.
Being a working girl takes discipline. Earning a paycheck is a very rewarding feeling, but I've learned that my money can't be spent frivolously. My job qualifies as a work study job, and my earnings go towards paying for my college education. I am blessed that I can stand alongside my parents and support my education that will bring me to our future. I've also come to value other aspects of discipline, such as waking up on time and arriving to work early, going above and beyond my required duties as a tutor, participating in training and research, following the rules and embodying all that our program stands for. When I am a part of something bigger than myself, I have an obligation to put all that I can into my role. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to fulfill these duties for such a worthy cause.
I've become skilled in my job as a tutor. When I work with students, I make each learning opportunity a privilege and help them understand their potential. Not every student learns in the same way. Some of my students are kinesthetic learners, who understand numbers best while counting to jumping or tracing letters with their fingers as they say them. Some of my students are visual learners, and they like to count money by classifying piles of coins and buying stickers from Miss Alyce's Sticker Shop. Others learn best from hearing me explain things to them in a way that makes sense to them. Each student is an individual, and I treat them as such. They are all unique and precious, and have a mind and a body that are capable of big things in the future. I am one lucky girl to play a small part of their big mission called, "Life."
I've also gained a deeper understanding about life from working with my students and teachers. I can appreciate the simple moments, and the more challenging ones. Most of my students do not come from wealthy neighborhoods or stable families. They've trusted me with their fears - "Will Mommy ever come home from jail?" - and their joys - "Miss Alyce, my parents got married this weekend!" There have been times when I've had to take action, and times when there is nothing that I can do but pray for my students and their teachers. I've had students with both mental and physical disabilities, but none of these challenges impede my love for them. Each of my students are gifts in my life, and I'm so thankful for everything they've taught me: from love, patience, understanding, and joy.
I've spent these past few semesters collecting some funny sayings and moments and sharing them as Facebook statuses and Tweets. In closing, I'd like to share my joy with you:
"Knew it was Friday afternoon in kindergarten today when after I showed a kid how to zip his lips, lock them, and throw away the key he promptly found the key, unlocked and unzipped his lips... :)"
- September 7, 2012
"'Please do not use 'ain't' in your sentences.' - me
'Why not?' - 3rd grade girl
'Because it's improper. It's not pretty.' - me
'Miss Alyce, life ain't pretty!' - 3rd grade boy
Touché my friend, touché."
- October 23, 2012
"'Miss Alyce is cool. Opinion. Miss Alyce is smart. Fact.' #things3rdgraderssay"
- October 30, 2012
'"Miss Alyce, I know how to spell my dad's name!!! D-A-D-D-Y!' #fridayin5k"
- November 2, 2012
"While reading today, one of my kindergarteners bowed his head and burst into prayer:
'Dear God,
Please make it stop raining so we can go play outside. That's all I need today. Amen.'
And that was the prayer of every kindergarten teacher today, too.
Just so you know, God answers prayers."
- February 21, 2013
"Biggest challenge of the day: explaining to a kindergartener that a "waterlemon" is actually a 'watermelon.'"
- March 21, 2013
"'Ohhhh y'all better listen to Miss Alyce now while you're in 5K, because in 3rd grade... Shoot. Y'all are gonna need her.' #4thGradeWisdom"
- April 25, 2013
"Knew it was Friday afternoon in kindergarten today when after I showed a kid how to zip his lips, lock them, and throw away the key he promptly found the key, unlocked and unzipped his lips... :)"
- September 7, 2012
"'Please do not use 'ain't' in your sentences.' - me
'Why not?' - 3rd grade girl
'Because it's improper. It's not pretty.' - me
'Miss Alyce, life ain't pretty!' - 3rd grade boy
Touché my friend, touché."
- October 23, 2012
"'Miss Alyce is cool. Opinion. Miss Alyce is smart. Fact.' #things3rdgraderssay"
- October 30, 2012
'"Miss Alyce, I know how to spell my dad's name!!! D-A-D-D-Y!' #fridayin5k"
- November 2, 2012
"While reading today, one of my kindergarteners bowed his head and burst into prayer:
'Dear God,
Please make it stop raining so we can go play outside. That's all I need today. Amen.'
And that was the prayer of every kindergarten teacher today, too.
Just so you know, God answers prayers."
- February 21, 2013
"Biggest challenge of the day: explaining to a kindergartener that a "waterlemon" is actually a 'watermelon.'"
- March 21, 2013
"'Ohhhh y'all better listen to Miss Alyce now while you're in 5K, because in 3rd grade... Shoot. Y'all are gonna need her.' #4thGradeWisdom"
- April 25, 2013