During my time at my second placement, I was able to go along with my cooperating teacher as he and the girls' basketball team, which he is the coach of, went to a local elementary school to work with the children there. It was such a positive experience! I supported the team and took pictures, which were posted on the school's social media feeds the next day. It was a joy to see the high school students working so well with the younger kids. Everyone had a great time. During the day, I saw one of the students I had worked with before. She was reading to the kids. It was such a special moment because when I first met this student, they were fairly introverted. Once I got to know them, however, we formed a great relationship. It is experiences like these that drive me to teach.
Throughout my time in Trinity's program, I tutored part-time at Huntington Learning Center in Mokena, Illinois. I started there in the summer of 2020, just before I decided to enroll and get my teacher licensure. As time went on, I realized how much I loved working with the students there. After almost a year of tutoring and being a paraprofessional, I realized that I wanted to teach - and decided to change my career. I still love tutoring and working with the students - some really great rapport is formed and it's a great workplace community.