Christian Wills

I worked at CEB as a student advocate, that's kind of how I got my start here. I was working specifically for Kuumba Academy. I worked anywhere between fifth and eighth grade. We were doing programming around their curriculum, but also trying to give them support where best needed. So we did one on ones, we did group sessions. If a student was lacking in math or reading, we would give them supplemental support, and refer them to any counseling or after school activity or program that would help them boost their academics. But we basically were just there as a personal guidance counselor for them.

I have left, sadly, for specific reasons, but I have been trying to follow up with them as best as I could. And I'll be watching the eighth graders that I was working with when they were in seventh grade graduate and check in to see if there is anything I could do to support their programs or anything that they're working on.

I am currently working as a Teaching Assistant in the Associate in Arts Program in CEB. I support the class and help students online and in the classroom. I help with the grading at times, with the rubric, giving out assignments, things of that nature, just making sure the students are focused on our task and doing the things we need to do. 

When I was working here as a student advocate, my day ranged in a lot of different aspects. There were some high highs and there were some low lows. I would say in terms of lows, student management was somewhat of a hassle, because you're working with middle school kids, which is a struggle in itself. And they can show a wide range of behaviors. But you do the best that you can to help support that age. There are high highs when they are behaving well and they are accomplishing their goals. There is also a level of parent interaction that I think the parents definitely appreciate, to know that there is extra help, that there is support for their child in the school building going forward.

One thing they didn't know before I left was that I want to become a full-time artist. I've been doing this for a matter of years and it's the one thing that brings a lot of passion, a lot of joy in my life. I've been doing it on the side and there's some moderate success but I decided I want to take it to the full extent. So before I left, they had a CEB winter party and I did a little performance. I did like two or three songs at the party.

Interview by Mollie Taneyhill and Izabelle Garcia, spring 2023