Classroom Leader Takes Off with First Grade!

Megan Cockrum, CalSERVES Classroom Leader

The school year began with a new set of kids and a new program for CalSERVES. Although the past month has been challenging, it was one for which I was ready. Not only was I starting the school year moving from mentoring fifth to first grade, I would be in the class without a partner.

I came into the classroom thinking I knew what first grade would be like and automatically threw those expectations out the window. It was refreshing being able to be more silly with the kids, but I found out straight away that I still had to keep my game face on. There have been some trips along the way, but more than a month in I think I’m getting the hang of things. My class is eager to learn and quick to please.

Living by the TRIBES agreements (Mutual Respect, Attentive Listening, No Put Downs, and the Right to Pass) has become the norm in and out of the class, along with the school motto: be safe, be respectful, and be responsible. Homework time is probably my biggest struggle, with 20 first graders to help, but it's been a learning experience too. I’m ready for the rest of the year and what will come.

GO BULLDOGS!!!

by Megan Cockrum, CalSERVES Classroom Leader, Bellevue Elementary

"Do you want to work with kids?" A story of joining CalSERVES

Alejandro Tinajaro, CalSERVES AmeriCorps Service Scholar

There have been few moments in my life when I have felt a sense of worthiness and usefulness in myself. Contrasting to that, there are many moments where I have felt pathetic, awkward, and like a misfit. I don't particularly mind these feelings, though. Like a terrible illness or any film by Michael Bay, I know there will be a general build-up of angst and anxiety that will eventually lead to utter chaos. But after all that fades, I know the virus will wither away and the film will come to an end. And all will be well.

There is a point to all this, and I'm getting to it. In order to understand something in its entirety, it is crucial to realize how you got there. The reason you're reading this sentence is because you were born, I was born, we learned to read and write, and you have read (and thus I have written) the previous words and sentences. See? It makes sense.

This particular story begins outside of Stevenson Hall at Sonoma State University. The beginning of the school year started off wonderfully and my high expectations were being met. Most of them. However, on this day, as I walked out of my sociological research methods class, I was rather distraught. I had been trying to add this class and it didn't look like I was going to get it. So I walked on, head hung low, with a generally angsty look about me, the kind that is usually found among the preteens and teenagers. And that's when a cheerful looking girl asked me if I wanted to work with kids.

For the past few months, I had been trying to find a job that involved working with kids. I like kids. For one, they aren't as judgmental as most people my age are. And when they do judge you, they do it in a positive way. Such examples of praise and judgments include, "Those shoes that are covered in milk are really cool," and "I like how huge and messy your hair is." These are awesome. Also, kids basically always have fun. It seems that the older we get, the less interested we are in the tiny things in life. Kids embrace all of them and it makes for interesting times. They're just fun in general.

So of course I said yes. Next thing I knew I was on my way to an interview, training, meeting my brothers and sisters in arms, and going to my school site to prepare for the months that lay ahead.

And let me tell you, dear reader, it has been a blast.

Along the way, tears have been shed, and blood has been spilled. Metaphorically and literally. I am very proud to be part of the staff here at Bellevue. I won't deny that we are awesome. But as much as I love all the AmeriCorps and CalSERVES members, it is important to also note how great the kids are here. As corny and cliche as it may sound, they are one of the main reasons I want to keep coming back.

Our first month is coming to an end. September has come and gone, the green leaves of summer are giving way to the warm tones of autumn, and as the year comes to a swift end, I can't help but think about how I got here. As I type this, I am sitting in the local bookstore to which I give my free time every weekend, working for a person who probably doesn't respect me and maybe even looks down on me for being young and inexperienced. Maybe the reason I was so willing and ready to join the CalSERVES team was simply to show the world that I can make a difference and what I do during my short time in this life actually will matter. I guess in the larger scope of things any change will be miniscule. But a change is still a change. Kicking a stone from the sidewalk changes that sidewalk just a little. And the changed sidewalk changes the town, which changes the county, which changes the state, the country, the continent, the Earth, the galaxy, the universe, and, well, just about everything. Everything is just a matter of perspective I suppose. But I digress.

I'm not really sure what's next. I can only assume it will be awesome and I will have a total blast. But a wise friend once told me that happiness doesn't last forever. This is true. I mean, without sorrow or misery, happiness and joy can't exist. So I know that the rest of my time with CalSERVES at Bellevue will be filled with momentous occasions of utter joy and excitement, and I also know that there will be tougher times. It's just expected.

But why focus on any of that? Why over think things as soon as they get started? I know where I am, I know how I got here, and I know why I want to stay. That's all that matters now. All that should be done is really go with the motions, ride the undulating waves. We're off to a great start.

And so we raise our anchor, and sail off. And, dear reader, the sea looks promising and beautiful from here.

by Alejandro Tinajero, AmeriCorps Service Scholar, Bellevue Elementary

Bellevue Principal honors CalSERVES AmeriCorps Program

I can't imagine my school without the CalSERVESAmeriCorps staff here--it would be too quiet, too boring, almost lifeless! The mentors are all over the school, all day long--we call them all mentors because they are role models for all the students in the myriad of positions they fill: as tutors, as afterschool teachers, as volunteer coordinators, garden project leaders, p.e. champions, marquee sign creators, cheerleaders, promoters of reading, etc.

The mentors are ready to take on any task and do it with zest. We have murals on our school walls thanks to the mentors, murals about eating healthy, and about the resiliency skills taught to all students. Mentors went to the sixth grade outdoor ed program, and we needed them for supervision and kp!

We have the garden looking its best ever because of AmeriCorps. And 40 of our students have made great gains in the tutoring program, reading four times a week with their special tutor to raise their scores to grade level.

That's what I see as a result of the positive energy CalSERVES AmeriCorps brings to Bellevue.

Beth Wilson
Bellevue Elementary Principal

Rewards of being a Tutor

It is without a doubt difficult to pick one time that tutoring has been rewarding. Almost everyday with each bit of growth you see in your students you feel a sense of accomplishment for your student and yourself. I think the overall comprehensive change I've seen since day one in every single one of my students has been the most rewarding thing of my life.

My third grade tutee, Michelle, has been a great example of this. Michelle began with me reading at a first grade level with little to no writing and grammar skills. Her reading has improved tremendously and she is now nearing grade level expectations. She can read short chapter books not to mention use basic comprehension skills with her reading. Michelle's knowledge of the English language has seen incredible growth as well. When presented with grammar challenges she is able to identify nouns, verbs, direct objects, indirect objects, parenthetical phrases, sentence types, etc.

Michelle has been such a blessing to have in tutoring everyday. Her quiet and unsure nature can be challenging at times, but I continually see her rise to the occasion. I have no doubt by the end of this year she will be reading at her grade level, if not higher than her grade level. I know her writing will continue to improve with time as well. Seeing Michelle as well as my other tutee's skills grow has been such a blessing, and I will always remember this time of my life fondly.

by Julianna Curtin, AmeriCorps Tutoring Specialist at Meadow View Elementary

A Passion for COOL Sports

 COOL Sports has always been one of my favorite aspects of the CalSERVES programs. As a mentor at Sheppard Elementary, I coached every Challenge during the school year. I enjoyed watching my students’ faces light up with joy when they arrived at the Challenge and saw all the other students in their COOL Sports shirts. When I became a Program Assistant, I took over the responsibilities of organizing the Challenges. Now in my third year as COOL Sports “Cruise Director”, I found myself wondering if I would still have the same passion for COOL Sports as I did as a mentor. My concern quickly vanished after our last Challenge.

It has been a few years since volleyball was the focus for a Challenge. As mentors reported struggles our students had with this sport, we changed the rules accordingly to give them a better chance at being successful. As we started the Challenge, I quickly learned that the rules were going to go straight out the window. The students had trouble serving the ball over the net and passing to each other. Standing there reffing the matches, I adjusted the rules as best as I could in the moment. I saw mentors who had spent weeks teaching their students the fundamentals of the game cheering to the top of their lungs when a student was able to hit the ball over the net.

Looking around the gym, I saw that every person in the gym had huge smiles on their faces. The students, mentors, Super T’s, and parents were so proud of the hard work that had gone into this Challenge, no matter how the students performed. I thought about the purpose for which COOL Sports was created: it is a chance for students to participate in new sports that they might not have access to and it doesn’t matter how great of an athlete they are. What matters is that they showed up and did their best.

As I swept the gymnasium floor after the Challenge had ended, I heard a student shout out to her mentor “Good night Ms. Hunt. Thanks for being the best coach ever!” Watching the mentors cheer when they saw their kids return a serve, score a point, or simply get the ball over the net reminded me why COOL Sports will always be a passion of mine. These events allow the kids to realize their potential and have the power to change lives, including my own.

by Taylor Ford, CalSERVES Supervising Teacher at Wright Charter
and COOL Sports Coordinator

Tales of Wright Charter Tutoring

Ms. Peek and her tutoring student.

When pairing a student with a mentor for tutoring, you try your best to find a perfect match. However, not knowing every student makes matching more arbitrary and thus, the result can at times be more problematic. This was the case with one particular duo, Ms. Peek and a student I'll call *Trey. I knew that Ms. Peek was a very experienced tutor, but neither of us quite understood how challenging Trey would prove to be. Every day for the first month, Trey would loudly complain and hide when Ms. Peek would pick him up, he wouldn’t respond to her attempts at conversation, or if he did respond it was in a tone that one would think only an angry teenager could have mastered. In short, he hated tutoring and made sure everyone and anyone around him was aware of it.

After some of the usual suggestions for challenging students had failed, I decided to team up with his teacher, his tutor, our supervising teacher, his Cool School mentors and anyone else who had some sort of close relationship with him. We all started brainstorming ideas together and ended up with a fantastic solution. We incorporated physical activities, gave him control by allowing him to pick and choose his own agenda, set up a unique reward system. We also sat down and had an honest one-on-one conversation letting him know that we cared about him and wanted to all work together to make tutoring a success.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Trey has not only done a full 180 on his behavior but his reading is now at his grade level and he enjoys both tutoring and his tutor. Now when Ms. Peek and Trey walk to our tutoring classroom, instead of an angry silence he tells her about his weekend, even including his heartbreaking defeat at his basketball game. Reflecting back on the situation, I am so proud of Ms. Peek who never gave up regardless of so many initial failed attempts; so grateful for the community people who came together to help; and proud of Trey who also never gave up and was able to become a positive, productive student.

By Melissa Boni, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Wright Charter School

*Name was changed to protect the student.

Kids Quotes to Make you Smile

Kids say the funniest and sweetest things. Here are a few recent quotes from students in the CalSERVES programs, as reported by their mentors on Facebook. Be sure to like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/calserves, and see more of the amazing ways our AmeriCorps members are making a difference!

Patrick McGrath, CalSERVES Staff and former AmeriCorps Mentor 
I found out a HUGE secret to successful tutoring today - I asked a 4th grader that I tutored when she was in 1st grade why she is so nice to me now, but wasn't before. Another student interrupted as if it was so logical: "It's because you wear VANS now, and you didn't before...." OOOOOH. Take note everyone.

Sandy Ngaophasy, AmeriCorps Mentor 
A lovely first grader wrote me a thank you card that said "Ms.Sandy I'm thankful you work here because you care about me." it's such an amazing feeling to know I'm making a difference in someone elses life but little do these kids know how big of an impact they make on my life, just another great day at Meadow View!

Stacey Krywaruczenko, AmeriCorps Team Leader 
The 3rd grade surprises me almost everyday. There is always one student, no matter when I come in, he always gives me a hug, and makes me feel welcome in his class. Today another student asked me what do I want to be when I grow up? After he told me he thought I was 30 years old, I told him the only thing I want to do when I grow up, is work with kids like him!

Koby Johnson, AmeriCorps Mentor 
The sweetest thing I have ever heard was by a 1st grade student today who said, " Mr. Johnson, I am so thankful you work here. You make my life by being my friend." ♥

Sara Quinn, AmeriCorps Team Leader 
I got a gift from my secret buddy at school today and it was written by a student... the note states: "Here are a pear of holidai earrings to match your beutiful red hair!". It made my day nonetheless.

Go and Tutor!

Jerry Noviello, CalSERVES Program Coordinator

Tutoring has begun! This is my favorite time of the year!! I can feel the energy from the excitement and curiousness and nervousness that’s mixing in the air at all of our school sites. It is a wonderful time when AmeriCorps Mentors are introduced to the student who they will tutor for the entire school year. Pretty soon all of the initial assessments will be complete and the sound of students reading from books or curriculum will fill the classrooms.

Students selected for our literacy-tutoring program all need some additional help to learn must-needed reading skills. AmeriCorps members use our thorough assessments to develop in depth lessons that target the specific needs for each of their students. It is a personalized instruction program that every year proves to yield stellar results.

As I am writing this blog posting, our AmeriCorps members are finding the instruction reading levels for each of their tutees. We then are able to choose books that students read. These books are at a difficulty level which is appropriate for each student to read along with the support of caring adult. Students who previously may not have been confident readers discover that they can be successful readers and that reading is fun!

To all of our AmeriCorps Mentors; I wish you high hopes for a great year ahead. Your dedication to service and to helping the community is an inspiration to us all.

AmeriCorps Recruitment Update

Jerry Noviello, Program Coordinator, CalSERVES

CalSERVES Recruitment is complete!! It has been quite the process to hire all of our new part-time AmeriCorps members, but we are finally at capacity, with 51 Full-time AmeriCorps members and 66 Half-time Members!

Our AmeriCorps Team Leaders did an excellent job last spring to help us recruit most of our team from Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. Throughout the summer, CalSERVES staff have been hard at work to recruit the remaining positions. Many thanks to everyone who was involved in the recruitment process. We couldn’t have done it without you!

If you are interested in serving with our programs next year, please contact us! We are currently recruiting volunteers for our six schools in Santa Rosa. Volunteering is a great way to gain valuable experience in afterschool programs as well as build a relationship with our organization. I highly recommend volunteering if you are thinking about applying for an AmeriCorps position next year! You can reach us at 1-888-560-7378, or americorps@calserves.org.

Meet the Bellevue Full-Time Mentors!

2011-2012 Bellevue Team

The early start-up program has been very productive. Our 2nd grade students like our program, especially students who attended our After School Program last year. My favorite part of our schedule is helping kids with their homework because everyone gets to complete their assignment.

–Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Hector Morales

My name is Megan Cockrum and I am a full-time AmeriCorps mentor at Bellevue. I am originally from Modesto, Ca., but have been living in Rohnert Park for the past five years. So far, things have been going great! I have been getting to know the other mentor at my site and I am excited to get to know the kids!

-Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Megan Cockrum

Hey everyone! My name is Amy McConnell and I am so excited to be in sunny California. It is very different from Kentucky where I am from. The first few weeks have been so much fun. It has been great getting to know everyone and making new friends. I can’t wait to meet the children and starting working with them.

-Full-time AmeriCorps mentor, Amy McConnell

My name is Sarah Forzley and I biked out to California from the high desert of South East Utah. Besides loving the ocean, the mild temperatures, and all the beautiful food that grows hear, I’ve been getting to know the 4th graders I’ll be working with this year. I’ve also been cleaning up the school garden, sowing seeds from fall crops and scheming up fun ways to let our students get their hands dirty while learning about nutrition. Finally, our CalSERVES team leaders have been training us to be the best tutors and mentors we can be.

-Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Sarah Forzely

My name is Juan Pablo Carrillo, I go by "JP". This is my 3rd year at Bellevue; normally I'd have 5th or 6th grade, but this year I started off with Kindergarten and it's such a TRIP! In the past seven days I've dealt with slips, spills, cries, and a fair amount of both stress and laughter. I'm super excited to work with my 6th graders again, once we start regular COOL School. I can't wait for another great year... Wow! It feels good to be a Bulldog!

-Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Juan Pablo Carrillo

And... We're Off!

Melissa Moore, Supervising Teacher at R.L. Stevens Elementary

Mentors line up in fine style at RL Stevens

It’s the start of a brand new school year at R.L. Stevens Elementary, and after weeks of anticipation, the mentors are excited to meet their students. Armed with a storehouse of recently acquired knowledge in academic curricula and healthy behaviors, the “Cool School” Team is prepared for an excellent year. The first few weeks will be spent building an inclusive class community and structured, positive learning environments. With that foundation in place, and the enthusiasm and dedication of the CalSERVES team, there can be no doubt that all are in store for a year of learning, excitement and personal growth.

Thank You for an AMAZING Year, AmeriCorps Mentors!

CalSERVES gathered yesterday to celebrate the graduation of the 10-11 class of AmeriCorps members. Members enjoyed games, end of the year videos, photo contests, and inspirational speakers.

Members participate in games at the Year-End Celebration.

Mayor Ernesto Olivares poses with the Bellevue Elementary Team.

Speakers for the event included Santa Rosa Mayor, Ernesto Olivares, Principal Elizabeth Sesma-Olinyk from Taylor Mountain Elementary School, and various members and volunteers with the CalSERVES program.

In the 2010-2011 school year, our 115 local AmeriCorps members provided over 144,000 hours of service to the children and families in our community.

They serve for many hours each day, giving of their time, energy, and love.

The children in our programs have received their attention and commitment.

Thank you for being role-models, and making a difference!

Wright's Tutoring Students Go Green

Kara Shelton, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Wright Elementary

Students and mentors in CalSERVES tutoring program had a break from the ordinary to spend some time celebrating the Earth. First, students were invited to choose a book about environmental issues for their tutors to read to them. Some favorites were Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, The Great Kapok Tree, The Lorax, and a number of nonfiction books about reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Students then engaged in several activities that combined the Earth Day theme with literacy skills. All students helped to clean up the classroom environment at the Garbage Sight Word Pick-up and Sorting Station. Students found sight word "trash" strewn about the room, before bringing them back to read and to "sort" the words into the correct color-coded "recycling" bins. Upper-grade students had more difficult multi-syllable words to sound out.

At the SSPTU station, students practiced their decoding skills while creating words with tiles about the Earth. Students also created globes to hang on our Reading Tree, describing one thing that they love about the Earth. To better show their appreciation, students put their knowledge of the three R's to the test by reading and writing short examples of how they can reduce, reuse, and recycle in their everyday lives. Finally, students had the opportunity to start sprouting seeds, which they can later plant in a garden.

All in all, the Earth Day theme day was a success. Wright tutoring students worked on their reading and writing skills while learning what it means to "go green."

It's Time to Join AmeriCorps

Jerry Noviello, CalSERVES Recruitment Coordinator

 Recruitment at CalSERVES is at full steam! It is only the beginning of the year and we have received hundreds of applications for our 2011-2012 AmeriCorps positions. We have had applicants from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, California, Washington, and the list could go on even more. It’s wonderful to see that people from all across the country want to join AmeriCorps – and want to serve in our programs!

CalSERVES Mentor tutors a child

One of my favorite times in the day is when I share my experiences with potential members. I get to tell others about my passions and reasons for believing in our programs, and I also get to hear the inspirational stories of people who want to serve their country through volunteer service.

Mentors make a difference!

If you are interested in applying to serve with CalSERVES or would like more information about our programs, please contact me! My phone number is 707-260-4286, and my email address is americorps@calserves.org.

You can also read more about our programs on the CalSERVES website: www.calserves.org/join.html.

Beginning a New Adventure

As they began their year of service in AmeriCorps, three Full-Time mentors serving at Wright Charter School reflect on the experience of joining CalSERVES, moving to California, and making a difference.

Melissa Boni

After what seemed like a much anticipated wait and a 14 hour drive to Santa Rosa, CA, I have arrived at my school site and felt the beginnings of settling in. Being new to Wright Charter School, I’ve been learning to appreciate many of the things here. There is a budding garden program that has lots of native flowers and veggies, with exciting plans of expansion and variety. I love the idea of eating local, especially that it allows kids to learn and be healthy through it.

As far as the students, I’m still in the beginning stages of getting to know them, but right now, I feel like third might be the grade for me. I’m really looking forward to having my own classroom in which to welcome my students. I really want to create a Tribes community with them.

I can’t wait to explore Santa Rosa and beyond. I feel like I have an endless list of places I want to go, things I want to do, and events and festivals I want to attend. There’s so much excitement and possibility waiting out there, I’m impatient to get going as explore. I do wish at times I could share all of these new experiences with my family and friends still in Washington, but I know this unfamiliar independence of a new state and people is important.

Patrick Link

Everything seems right at the moment. When I got the call me to inform me of my acceptance into CalSERVES, I was ecstatic. I had been interviewing for many community service programs, and it was so nice to get some good news! Later that day, on the radio, I heard “Goin’ to California” by Led Zepplin, and I took that as a sign. I knew that I needed a dramatic shift in my life; I needed to step out of my comfortable setting in Virginia and try something new. CalSERVES could provide me with that opportunity.

I was ready to serve when I arrived in Santa Rosa and got settled in my new apartment. The night before our first training, I was restless and couldn’t get to sleep. I was anxious to meet all the new people and excited to learn more about the program. But I knew sleep was the only obstacle left between me and my new adventure. So I slept to the sound of a gentle California breeze rustling through my new surroundings.

Jamie Hennick

My travel to Santa Rosa was not fast. Or efficient. It was not a simple bus ride or even a short flight. It was an extravagant cross-country road trip with my mother. The entire time, I couldn’t help but think about my decision to take this opportunity to serve and move my life from to a new coast. I couldn’t help but wonder if these 3,017 miles on US I-80 were going to be worth it. Was I doing this simply because I didn’t want to move back home with my parents? Well, partially. But I also hand an ideal vision in my head, a vision that I would love what I do and make a difference in the lives of these children.

Upon arriving in California, I can tell this dream is in my reach and that the miles of cornfields, deserts, mountains, and prairies would be well worth my time and apprehension. After training for a week, I know there’s lots I need to reach for to make this experience a great one. But I know I’m surrounded by like-minded and hearted people who will help me grow, learn, and make a difference this school year.

Summer Fun: Recreation Sensation

Lindsday Rizzo, CalSERVES Program Coordinator

This summer, CalSERVES and the Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department are partnering to bring the Recreation Sensation program to three school sites in Santa Rosa. Both CalSERVES and Rec and Park staff members have come together at each site to provide an amazing summer recreation program that provides kids ages 5-13 with a fun, and safe place to be this summer. 

CalSERVES mentors alongside Recreation and Parks staff members trained for a week in June to gear up for this summer's program. They bonded over team-building activities, songs and games to form a united Recreation Sensation staff.

Recreation Sensation is a free program for kids in the surrounding community. The program engages kids in activities and field trips from 9am to 4:30pm each day. Whether it's playing soccer, singing camp songs, getting fancy during salon day or letting loose on the slip-n-slide, the mentors and the kids are having a blast.

Pie Day for Bellevue Literacy Students

Ruby Willmann, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Bellevue Elementary

After six weeks of reading to collect pie tickets, our After School students were finally able to experience the Bellevue Pie Day! Students were able to turn in their pie tickets for whip cream pies, and one after the other the students slammed their pies into their mentor of choice. One first grader read so much she got to pie seven mentors! The day was so much fun and the kids loved it. They especially loved it when they got to pie our Principal! After making hundreds of pies, Pie Day proved to be a fantastic success.

AmeriCorps Members Make A Difference

Kathleen Chosa, CalSERVES Program Coordinator 

It’s hard to believe but we are already at the mid-point of the program year for most of our AmeriCorps members! Before we know it this program year will be done and we will be looking back at how our members measured up and the goals they accomplished.

We currently have 230 members serving in numerous locations across our state, north from the Sonoma and Napa County areas to the south of San Diego County. As of the end of January our members have served over 177,000 hours, making tremendous strides forward in serving the needs of children and families in some of California’s economically hardest hit communities. They have done so in a wide variety of ways such as developing and organizing on-going volunteer bases for non-profit organizations, offering one-on-one literacy tutoring to elementary school age children struggling to read, and providing 1st-8th grade at-risk students with safe educational/ enrichment/ mentoring after-school programs to attend, free of charge, Monday - Friday. 

Our AmeriCorps members in the CalSERVES, the California’s Promise, or the Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) programs are truly measuring up, really "Making a Difference" in the communities in which they’ve dedicated their service.

Here Come the Mentors!

Ally Gibely, Full-time Mentor at Wright Elementary

Walking into my site, Wright Elementary, for the first time I felt almost as nervous as I did on my first day of junior high school! I drove with a fellow mentor and the whole ride we were talking about what we expected and the anxiety we felt. As we parked and crossed the playground to find our classroom, our fear immediately subsided. Before we even had a chance to enter the playground, students were already coming up to us or yelling to their friends, “Here come the mentors! When’s Cool School starting?” They had never met either of us, but just by looking at our shirts they knew who we were.

It was at that moment I realized how much of a difference we could make in the lives of these children. It was then I realized how influential we would be and how we would someday be the teachers they talk about who shaped their lives and help made them who they were. I am so excited to be the mentor in their life, with whom they form a solid relationship and enjoy learning.

These students made me realize the choice I have in life. I can either roll out of bed each morning and drag myself to a job where I go through a monotonous workday with no real purpose; or I could wake up with a smile, put on my CalSERVES t-shirt, and make a difference. It has only been a week and I already know I made the right decision when I decided to commit to this year of service. Even more exciting than forming relationships and watching these children learn and grow is knowing how much I will be learning and growing from them in return. There is so much for me to look forward to in this next year and for that I am grateful.

A Mentor Reminisces

Emily Nagel, AmeriCorps Mentor at Wright Elementary

Mmm... fall time, like I know it, has finally arrived to my new home of Santa Rosa. I once again feel like I am back in the Midwest with crisp, cool air, vibrant trees, and hot apple cider. I was almost certain that this comforting feeling of fall would be forever absent during my time away from home. And although my favorite season has slowly approached us I have been reminded of what I do on a daily basis that can provide more comforts than those of fall time:

First grader Joe, whom I pick up first thing in the morning, is always eager to sport his perfectly gelled hair, giggling as he calls me Ms. Bagel.

Selomie's curiosity exhibits her eagerness to learn and continues to shine in all of her accomplishments.

For Bianca, creating a rendition of the material from High School Musical is a guarantee that she will earn her sticker for the day.

Grayson graciously throws me high fives and excitedly shares his childhood adventures of exploring the city "Francisco" with me.

Fredy, whom I have nicknamed the "Fredster", initiates conversations about animals, the universe and how the human race could potentially survive without the sun.

And how could I forget Shawn. A student in my afterschool class and a guarantee to brighten my day, he repeatedly tells me about his aspirations of becoming a professional NASCAR driver and his future plans of traveling to Florida to see Jimmy Johnson win the title for another year.

I have realized that I am teaching more than phonetics and sight words, I am being a role model and a mentor. Perhaps my students might not always remember the material but they can count on Ms. Nagel to provide encouragement and instill confidence that will ideally stay with them for their lifetime.