Experience Summary
It was in my senior year at UConn that I learned about a program called City Year that enables young people as myself to work within the realm of urban education. As a City Year corps member, I was able to work both inside the classroom and after school with a group of 22 ninth grade boys at Glenville High School in Cleveland. Not only was I able to do in-class tutoring with these adolescents, but I was also able to to mentor them by encouraging them to do the right thing. Being so close in age to my students, I was further able to bridge the communication gap between these boys and their teachers.
Teaching Style
I believe that each child learn differently, and as such, I have found the best way to teach is to cater to each child's individual learning style. In working one-on-one with students, I feel as though it is crucial to build a trusting relationship in which the child feels comfortable stating whether or not the teaching style I am using is working for them. Being only 22 years old, I feel as though I have an advantage, as I am close enough in age to the students that they are able to almost see me as a peer, but I'm also old enough for them to respect me as an adult.