Adopt a Class

Reflecting

Volunteering with Adopt a Class was a very rewarding experience and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to get involved.  As a part of the UHP Adopt a Class team, our responsibilities included monthly visits to a third-grade class at the Academy of World Languages, as well as regular team meetings to reflect on our previous visits and plan for upcoming sessions.

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Our role in the classroom as volunteers focused on engaging the students in age-appropriate activities that were both fun and educational.  In our reflection meetings, we designed three to four mini lessons that typically related to a specific theme, such as changes in weather, holidays, or upcoming events.  However, in the classroom, we usually only used two (sometimes three) of the planned activities.  This allowed us to have the flexibility to adapt our lessons to best fit the students’ interests, based on how receptive and engaged they were.  Throughout our visits, I learned how to think on my feet and pivot to different topics spontaneously to keep the students involved and excited about learning.

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The combination of education and fun in the Adopt a Class program is a large part of what makes it so impactful.  The students eagerly looked forward to our visits, allowing us to serve as positive role models for them.  This comes with a significant level of trust and responsibility, and I hope to inspire the young students to pursue their passions and dreams.  As a kid, I remember how much I always looked forward to older students visiting our classes and sharing their experiences.  Volunteering with Adopt a Class felt like a full-circle moment for me because I was able to give back and be that older student who once inspired me.  Additionally, the program’s Spark-Ignite-Launch model fosters an interest in STEM-related fields.  As a current STEM major, I understand and value the impact that early encouragement has on students interested in science and math.  By nurturing their curiosity, we planted the seeds of ambition and hard work, which will lead to a fulfilling career in the long run.

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One of my favorite aspects of my time with Adopt a Class was the genuine connections formed with the elementary students.  Their joy upon our arrival was so evident, and their ability to remember all of the volunteers’ names after just one visit was a testament to the profound impact we had, demonstrating that seemingly small acts of kindness can mean the world to these children.

In addition to the classroom engagement, I took a self-paced public speaking course through UC’s ed2go, enhancing both my verbal and nonverbal communication skills.  This newfound confidence in public speaking is invaluable and will be quite beneficial in many aspects of my life, especially as I navigate an increasingly professional environment.

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This volunteer experience with Adopt a Class was incredibly fulfilling and I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent with this class of third grade students.  I hope to participate in future volunteer teams throughout my college career because I believe in the mission of this program to help students at underserved schools reach their full potential through mentorship.