The room was small, and I was only there for about two hours, but it drove me crazy from the start. I'm still learning how to not be weird when meeting new people, and I'm really not even close, which is why this experience was a dud. I was uncomfortable upon walking in because the room was so small, complete with chairs too small for me to comfortably sit. So I'm squished in a chair in a small room with kids filing in, and the whole time I'm just praying I get an older kid that's calm, because kids can be crazy, and I don't know how to act around them.
I ended up with this little Mexican boy (I'm mentioning that because ALL of the kids were Mexican and the two adults in charge were white... I thought that was really weird, honestly) He wasn't all that bad I guess, but as you'd expect he was hyper. He didn't stay in his seat for more than five minutes, he was always going on a bathroom break or talking to another kid. The most awkward part was him randomly whispering profanity... I remember words like that being a big deal when I was younger, so I understood that it's pretty normal, but it was so uncomfortable because I had only been around him for about ten minutes - and how do I say stop? I don't know how to be firm let alone with a strange kid I don't know.
The other volunteers and the adults in charged seemed to be experts with the little guys so I felt super out of place. They all knew each other and things seemed to run smoothly with everybody, except for me. I'd forgot where things were, then the kids made a mess and I wasn't able to clean it up fast enough before the other kid I was working with who came in later on was asking me for help on his packet... Plus, I guess since I was knew, the first kid would have me write down things on the little individual white boards, he said you're supposed to write it down (the sentences they have to write) for whatever reason. The lady in charge warned me about kids trying to get me to give them the answers, and I'm pretty sure writing down the sentence is doing that because they don't have to try to spell the words out themselves, but the kid kept telling me I had to and it was my first day so I just went with whatever he told me.
I stopped caring after maybe 40 minutes, when the anxiety started kicking in. I got insecure, the kids started getting to me, and I couldn't help replaying the fact that the room was tiny, the seat was digging into my sides, and I had over an hour to go. It messed with me, more than I thought it would. I hadn't expected to react the way I did. But I sat through the rest of the two hours having a panic attack inside my head.
At one point the lady in charge said "sometimes you have these little victories when the kids understand something, other times it's as if you haven't been working with them all this time, it's like they forget everything you taught them". Something along those lines. She seemed stressed out the whole time. I know the feeling, but I can't handle it all that well personally, so I made a choice. I was scheduled to come again the next day to volunteer but after the first day I knew I couldn't handle it. The anxiety I had felt wasn't worth the two hours, so I told her I wouldn't be coming back and explained myself. It was okay, and although I honestly hated the experience, I'm glad it all happened.
As they say, it was quite the learning experience.
As far as social issues goes... I don't think I did anything special.
I didn't get the chance to take a picture of anyone, and I doubt they would have let me anyways because I mentioned it to the lady and she said they had some sort of policy about the volunteers taking photos for school... I didn't bother, so just settled with the banner picture. Close enough.
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| The banner. |
4 comments:
I understand how sometimes it might be hard volunteering in a place where you're unfamiliar. I remeber the first time I arrived at my volunteer job, I felt so left out and out of place! It's like entering a new classroom, right? Just keep in mind you're doing a good job, and a good deed. Most kids are just hyper because they're young and full of energy, just try to get them to be more calm and to do their work. I think what you're doing is great!
I feel your pain sometimes kids don’t behave in the easiest manner. So next time try a place where your comfortable with your surroundings. That really has an impact on your opinion. I mean dealing with kids can be overwhelming especially if you’re not patient. Maybe your frustration wasn’t on the kids but on the environment. I would recommend you trying out again in another place where you’re more comfortable. Well i hope you the best. Dont get discouraged.
I also did volunteering on tutoring kids at elementary, and i understand that those kids are sometimes really annoying. They just mess around with their friends and not listening to you. I had the same feeling as you when you first started volunteer at a place that you are not familiar with, i felt so left out too:(
I agree with you and that kids can be very hyper, and as a result a challenge. If you ever work with kids again you have to try and work with them as one of them. I found out this really works because I have been volunteering at an elementary school. You have to be firm with them. If you're not they WILL take advantage of you. Don't yell at the kids just be strict, I found out this really does work. Hope the advice helps for the future even though I doubt you will volunteer with kids again.
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