Lessons I Learned As A 20-Year-Old Elementary School Student | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Lessons I Learned As A 20-Year-Old Elementary School Student

How my volunteer experiences this semester improved my outlook on life.

61
Lessons I Learned As A 20-Year-Old Elementary School Student
Pinterest

Growing up, I was extremely fortunate to have received the education and schooling that I did; as I get older, I continue to realize this more and more. My years in elementary school were among the best, and I carry only the most positive, happy, and meaningful memories from kindergarten through fifth grade with me at all times. Middle school and high school were great, and I enjoyed them at the time, don't get me wrong, but there is something magical about the early years of elementary school and the innocent, carefree attitudes and laughter that young students exhibit, incomparable to others.

When I first found out I had to take a semester off of college due to health reasons, I was devastated. It was particularly hard watching all of my friends either head back to their respective schools or abroad to a multitude of different locations around the world. Mostly, I was heartbroken that I wouldn't be able to spend my much anticipated semester abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, learning, exploring, and eating my way through a new city that is said to be beautiful and one of the greatest places in the world. Earlier this fall, I didn't have many plans or activities to keep me busy, as I mainly was just focusing on having a smooth recovery after the surgery I received in September and gaining my strength and full health back after many months of confusion and abnormality. One day, probably in early October, my mom and I decided to go for a walk; we walked right past my old elementary school.

As I graduated from fifth grade in 2007, there aren't many teachers left at my former school that I know, besides a few. Many of mine have retired and moved on as years have passed, which is to be expected. The only one of my former teachers who still teaches, although it is her last year this year, is my kindergarten teacher, one of the most magnificent, kind people I know. She saw me and my mom walking past the school that one fateful day, and she rushed outside to usher us in. Everyone who knows me knows I'm extremely emotional, and going inside my elementary school always makes me cry (happy tears), to the point where now it's honestly pretty weird/embarrassing. Seeing her and catching up with her after all these years was so powerful, and she knew about the recent developments in my life, which made it all the more emotional reunion. I'm always talking about the positive memories I have from growing up and attending school, so she told me I could come help out in her class any time. I had never thought about doing this, and I never planned on being a teacher; however, this enticed me. I love stepping foot in my former elementary school, as I mentioned before, I love kids, and I love my kindergarten teacher. I also was looking for things to do, so this seemed like the perfect gig. I'm so thankful for that day, when my mom and I took a stroll by the school, because had we not I wouldn't have had or thought of the opportunity to volunteer at the school, in the classroom of my old kindergarten teacher as well as in the second grade classroom of another teacher who I am close with, the sister of one of my friends from high school.

While I thoroughly enjoyed spending time getting to know and helping the students in second grade, in addition to kindergarten, there was something magical about helping out in the classroom of one of my former teachers, actually my first teacher who initially got me excited to learn and curious about the world. Observing her teaching styles every time I am in attendance, I am amazed at the creativity and passion she exudes when instructing the students and brainstorming lesson plans. Each day, the students take part in different activities and lessons that challenge and motivate them, and witnessing these young learners interact with each other while learning for the first time in a school setting is fascinating and so special, an experience I am so grateful to have had.

My time in the kindergarten classroom has reminded me that many lessons we learn as young students are lessons that should be carried and remembered for the rest of our lives. For example, you don't always have to be the best performer of an activity or receive the top score in the class, but as long as you try your best that is what really matters. The kindergarten students are taught to embrace failure and mistakes because they are a way to learn. They're told not to insult others or judge them for being different and to never put others down, no matter what. Interrupting someone when they're talking or not listening to people talk, when they're talking to you, is never okay, no matter how old you get.

Additionally, I am amazed at how kind the students are to each other, and they are always willing to help each other out when they're in a crisis. They're taught how to have engaging, open-minded body language and attitudes and to be respectful and mindful of the person who is speaking at the moment. There is never a day when I am not greeted by either a "Good Morning Miss Shelly," and it scares me how rare proper greetings are nowadays. These students, both second grade and kindergarten, and the two teachers I work with, teach me more about life and happiness each day than I ever thought possible, and my time helping out in the classroom has made my semester home worthwhile. The same goes for the second grade students who I have been so lucky to get to know; it is amazing to me how much children grow and learn in two years, and it's so powerful watching my friend's sister, only three years older than me, teach an excited group of students every day and bring positive change into their lives.

My volunteer experience has been so meaningful to me and really allows me to come full circle with the school that I started off my education with. I'm so lucky to have had the experiences and memories that I do, and I look forward to seeing how these children grow up and who they become over the years. I am truly passionate about enhancing our education system and ensuring all students, no matter where they are from, have access to the same unforgettable and positive opportunities that I did growing up. Education is one of the most important policies that deserves the utmost attention. The younger generations are the ones that are going to help change the world for the better, and we need to make sure everyone has access to a good education and resources that help them succeed. I believe in everything happening for a reason, and I know I had this experience for a reason; I'm excited to find out what it is in the future.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

270
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

321
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

970
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

2250
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments