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.
