Erev Tov! Good Evening beautiful people!
Today, 7/02, I had a successful day 2 of Summer/English Camp. BUT before I can tell you about my high, I need to tell you about my ultimate low.
Yesterday was one of the worst days I have ever experienced with kids and staff members. Everything that could have gone wrong, DID! Everything we got briefed on about possible situations, HAPPENED! It begin with chaos the moment we walked on to campus but that wasn’t the problem, I have dealt with chaos and big events. My dilemma was when the kids were not listening in our morning introduction. They were screaming, running around, and not respecting the counselors. In that moment I wanted to go hide and I figured no one would notice if I was gone. But I stayed and pushed through the embarrassment. The next dilemma was that ALL counselors were struggling with their kids or “bunk”. There were fights, chairs being thrown, nobody wanted to participate, nobody wanted to attempt to speak English, kids running away and trying to leave campus, and so on. Some of my co-counselors had a mini melt down and I stepped in to help them with their group. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into as these kids were already labeled as the worst behaved of the whole camp. It was terrible and that was when I then realized WHY AM I DOING THIS? Why not just take this college course back at home where I am surrounded by other adults in California. I am not even getting paid for these brats. As the day went on, the scheduling of things got worse and so did the kids. I thought as I was scolding a child, Is it so bad to book a flight back home tomorrow morning or never come back to finish my volunteer work? I was having an existential crisis...
Day 2! I was defeated but after debriefing with my roommates and a few of my co-counselors, I agreed that I needed to come back and see this through even if it meant I was going to pull my hair out and allow kids to run buck wild. OH MY! The kids had made a 360! Man, oh man, did they seem like a new group of kids. It was amazing! We got through everything we had planned and I actually got through my lesson plans for Art. My co-counselors were not having melt downs and less kids were running away or fighting. YAY! haha There was much more improvement today and I have HOPE for the rest of my summer in Project Harmony Israel.
As far as things I have learned that I think will help me in any situation but in my teaching job in particular is having the support from your staff in front of the kids is H U G G E E E E! Not undermining your partner is important as it shows you support each other and that person has as much authority as you do. Another thing I have learned when working with kids is sometimes you have good and bad days. It’s important to stand your ground with your rules and not show that you’re scared. Once you won’t budge they will start to learn your way and come around. I look forward to what I will continue to learn.
Todah! Thank you again for reading my blog as I enjoy writing about my experience and venting on here. I have 3 weeks left and I am sure missing home!!!!!! Good night. Love, Alexx ^.^
Alexandria's blog 