YMCA

I recently started volunteering at my local YMCA. Currently, I help out with a ballet class for preschoolers on Saturday mornings. I'm thankful for this experience because I've been thinking about being a teacher for some time. What I've learned is that it is HARD taking care of 18 preschoolers! Most of them don't pay attention to me, and it's not because they are bad kids, but rather they don't have the capacity to understand rules yet. Even though they are a handful, all of them are so cute in their ballerina costumes. I really like their energy and enthusiasm. They are excited about everything -- from the blue mats on the floor to the stickers they get at the end of the day. They are also pretty creative and smart. For example, I asked one of the girls what she thought the handicapped signed on the bathroom door meant, and she said "be careful." That's a pretty good answer, especially since she probably has no idea what handicapped or disabled means. Sometimes the girls can change moods so quickly. Last week, one of the girls started quietly sobbing to herself while we were doing stretches. The teacher and I tried to comfort her and find out what was wrong, but she wouldn't tell us. Then, literally 5 minutes later, she was fine -- dancing and laughing with the rest of the girls. I found it a little strange, but maybe that's just how kids are....

I still want to be a teacher, but I would much rather teach 4th or 5th grade special education. I recently went on a NYCTF interview (which I will post about later!) and applied for the UTR program. Wish me luck!