Service Learning Final Project Paper

Introduction:
I choose to volunteer at Eugene Padan Elementary School. Eugene
Padan is an elementary school located in Vacaville, CA. In the 80s, Eugene
Padan Elementary was the most distinguished elementary schools in Northern
California. Padan has a beautiful garden just behind some of the class rooms
along with solar panel. Padan also has some sad history, a memorial in the
garden for Anna and Luis Cardenas (ages 9 and 7) a brother and sister who
were killed in a car accident back in 2005, along which 10 other people were also
injured.
Why you chose the site/person:
I attended Padan from Kindergarten to 6th grade. I learned a lot from
Padan that really shaped me to be the person I wanted to be. I wanted to be able
to give back to the school. I also wanted the opportunity to work with younger
kids. I wanted to be able to make a difference in their lives and help them with
their school work. Also, Padan is about a ten minute walk from Buckingham,
which makes it very convenient for to get there. I also wanted to have the
opportunity to work with teachers that were teaching at Padan when I was a little
girl. Mrs. Farrell and Mrs. Colombra were teaching first grade when I was
attending Eugene Padan Elementary School, which was a pretty cool experience
to see the way they teach their students and the way they handle their classes. I
wasnt in either teachers class, so it gave me the opportunity to see how the
teachers educated their students.

Experience at your site:

I spent my service learning project in two different first grade classes. On
Mondays, I volunteered with Mrs. Farrells class. Most of the time when I was in
Mrs. Farrells class, I played math games with them. Sometimes, I would grade
papers, file, or organize. I played a new math game with them every Monday and
Wednesday. These games that I played with them helped with their addition and
their doubles. An example of one game is there is a board full of numbers with
multiply combination to make ten, with two students taking turns, they color in the
pair and who ever finds the final pair that makes ten, is the winner. The first
person to really welcome me into Mrs. Farrells class was a boy named Aiden.
He came over and talked to me when all of the other children were afraid to. He
made it easier for me to talk to the rest of the students and make them more
comfortable around me. On Wednesdays, I volunteered with Mrs. Colombaras
class. I would usually play the same games that I played in Mrs. Farrells class.
There is a particular young little girl named Honesty, who really struggled with
math and I made sure that I took extra time in making sure she understood the
material. Wednesdays were half days, so I didnt spend as much time in there as
I did in Mrs. Farrells class. On my final days of volunteering, I helped with a few
science experiments, such as with balances. On my final day of volunteering a
very interesting event happened, a kid in Mrs. Farrells class named Josh threw
multiple times on the floor and in the trash can and I had to take him to the nurse.
It was really sad for me to leave, because I could tell that a lot of the students

had become close to me and didnt want my volunteering to be over. This one little
girl named Kiera was about to cry when I told her it was my last day, however I
assured her that I would come and visit then when I could.
Evaluation:
My supervisor came to really rely on me. I made sure that I arrived on time
to my service learning project every Monday and Wednesday. I waited to make
sure that I had enough time to fully be able to help them with their math. Mrs.
Farrell say that I was very quiet and sometimes I finished my tasks but I didnt
speak up, so she could give me more. Although I have been quiet when I have
finished working, I have since come out of my shell and have begun to speak up.
My supervisor said that have been an exemplary model of the values that
Buckingham students are expected to show. I was always respectful of Mrs.
Farrell and Mrs. Colombara when they are teaching a class. I also give a 110% in
helping the 1st graders with their math. Mrs. Farrell also said that I encouraged
her students and help them enjoy what they are learning while still keeping them
focused on what they are learning. The most important goal I wanted to achieve
in my project was that I wanted to inspire these kids to do their best.
Personal Growth:
According to the color personality assessment, I am a blue personality.
Blue personality tend to be shy individuals, who are also very innovative people. I
believe that me being a blue personality, it really allowed me develop friendship
with each of the first graders, and to help bring me out of my shell. I believe that
they could tell that I cared about them and that is why I was able to form a bond

with them. According to the career assessments, I am very creative and my ideal
job is a kindergarten or preschool teacher. Throughout my service Learning
project, I learned that I work well with children, especially with young children.
I didnt show any favoritism towards any students. I treated each student with
care and compassion and I did my best to help them understand the material that
they were trying to learn. I believe that volunteering with first graders has helped
to bring me out of my shell. These kids brought out the best in me and made me
a better person all around. I also believe that this experience has given me
patience. You have to have patience when dealing with young children.
Sometimes the first graders had a harder time understanding math being taught
to them, so I had to take so extra time to help them to understand. However, I
never gave up on them and continued to support them. Another tool that I have
through my service learning project is problem solving and thinking on my feet. If
some of the first graders I am helping dont understand some of the material that
I am trying to teach them in a math game, I have to come up with new and
inventive ways to help them learn. I believe that the skills that I have learning
during my service learning project will benefit me in my career in the future.
Reflection/Personal Thoughts:
I would definitely volunteer again at Padan. I really enjoyed working with
the kids and being able to give back to my old elementary school. It helped me
realize that I love working with children and that I might want to make a career
out of it one day in the future. I believe that my performance at Padan was very
good. I helped the first graders in both classes understand math such as how to

find pairs of ten and the doubles of numbers. I also help them with their science.
The environment at Padan was very friendly and inviting. The kids welcomed me
with open arms when I first arrived at Padan. When I first went into this service
learning project, not very excited about and I just wanted to get it over with. I
didnt believe that I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. Also, I was scared
that they werent going to like me. On my first couple of days of volunteering,
they just kept giving me blank stares and wouldnt talk to me. However, they
started getting used to me coming and would be happy every time I showed up to
volunteer. However, I grew to love my service learning project and enjoy going
there every Monday and Wednesday. I enjoyed getting to know all of children in
both classes and they began to trust me and tell me all about their families and
their life outside of school. I was able to gain trust, which was very satisfying. I
wouldnt change anything about my service learning project. I enjoyed every
second of it and I wouldnt take it back for an instance.