Teaching Through Service

Key Insight 2

Every new student at the University of South Carolina is encouraged to take University 101, an introductory course to college. I participated in a section of U101 with members of the Teaching Fellows Program, a scholarship initiative to recruit teachers in South Carolina. In September of 2021, guest speaker Beth White spoke with our class about her experiences as a teacher. Her presentation focused on dispositions and how she has found success as a teacher from serving others. Mrs. White told us, “You write the narrative of every child that walks into your room.”

Teaching, in its essence, is an act of service. You cannot be a good teacher without the passion of helping the students in their classroom. As a profession that is notoriously underpaid and mentally and emotionally demanding, educators make lots of sacrifices when entering the classroom. Setting students up for success, especially in the context of a title one school, means putting your heart into everything you do. When you serve those around you, you grow, succeed, and love the experiences you make together.

Congaree New Horizons Band Program is an organization based at the University of South Carolina that aims to bring music to those from all walks of life. The organization serves primarily veterans and senior citizens, allowing them to play a wind or percussion instrument for the first time in a long time or ever. Playing an instrument is incredibly therapeutic and provides a source of emotional expression. Participation in music making creates a community of collaboration and support, something that benefits anyone involved. When given the opportunity to volunteer with the group in the Fall of 2024 I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. During the first rehearsals, I played oboe or clarinet and floated around wherever they needed me. I was quickly bought in on the organization and its mission, because everyone there was passionate about learning and making music. 

For the winter concert, I was assigned a song to conduct and found myself at the front of the classroom teaching a crowd of people three times my age. Through nerves, I managed to lead a few rehearsals but was no stranger to mistakes. When I was at the front of the room, the members were quick to say if they couldn’t understand something I was doing or point out a mistake. However, when I wasn’t teaching, I was in the crowd serving the ensemble. I was able to share my expertise and when someone was struggling with a rhythm or melody. I admitted to the group when I made a mistake, saying that we are learning together. By recognizing that no one is perfect and doing something new is difficult, the group felt more confident in their own abilities and were more forgiving of their mistakes. Together we learned and grew, forgiving mistakes and helping one another. This community of support and respect was built on the foundation of service.

Taking me back four years in the U101 classroom, I would tell you that I agreed with every word that Mrs. White said. While the things you learn throughout college are valuable, it is not until you apply them that you can see how transformative the information truly is. Throughout U101, education classes, my experiences teaching at different high schools, and my experience at New Horizons, I have learned just how important it is to serve those around you. Whether I was teaching, taking a course, or leading an organization, I found that when I served others, we made a community where everyone could succeed. It has been because of my passion of helping those around that I have had the privilege to take leadership rolls in the things I am involved in. Reflecting back on the previous four years, I see that every teacher and mentor I look up to shares the same attribute, a heart of service. My best memories of college are the times I volunteered to do something that I knew I really didn’t have time to add to my plate. What shapes us as young adults, teachers, and leaders is how we have worked to shape others.

As I step into a career and my life shifts to a new phase, it is the same fundamental passion for service that got me through college that will allow me to be a great teacher. Whether it is time, talent, spare change, or a helping hand, giving to those around me is what gives us value as human beings. I plan to continue my involvement in various organizations that I am passionate about and share what I can to others. I want to get a community band similar to New Horizons started in my community so that I can cultivate the same experiences that I have gained in the lives of others. In my classroom, I will serve my students by helping them beyond my contracted responsibilities, by supporting them at extracurriculars, and by going above and beyond to make sure fundamental needs are met.