Read to Lead - "Across the World"

Global Knowledge - Engagement Event

On November 11, 2016 in Poe Hall from 10-11 a.m, I was able to work with 4th and 5th grade students in the Read to Lead program. I assisted my peer Taylor Winnix with the activity she created called "Across the World." For the activity, students were given a map and were told to walk around to different stations, each one a different continent, and complete different tasks. The main goal of the activity was to visit all of the continents and learn a little bit about each one along the way. The photo to the left is of a student and I learning about Africa. Our first task was to unscramble names of animals that live in Africa, and our second task was to find the African capitals in a word search. After we finished our tasks in Africa, we moved on to Antarctica where we had to write an acrostic poem using facts about the continent. The other stations included Asia, South America, and Europe. I thought that the activity Taylor put together was fantastic! Unfortunately, we did not have very many students participate. However, the few students that I got to work with seemed to really enjoy the activity. I had a great time working on the tasks with the students and assisting them in learning more about the different continents. I believe that this opportunity was perfect in helping me become more integrated into working with children. Much like my experience with TWT, this activity really helped me focus on working with students and following a specific lesson plan while doing so. I feel that the more experience I have in the classroom, the more confident I will be when I have students of my own in the future. This is only the second time I have really worked with students in the classroom and I can't wait to take part in more opportunities like this again soon!

Teaming with the Tigers

Community Engagement - Engagement Event

On October 17, 2016 from 4:30-5:30 p.m, I was given the opportunity to visit Creech Road Elementary to work with a program called Teaming with the Tigers. The program consisted of about ten 4th and 5th grade students who joined us after school to learn about being a good citizen!

While our lesson for the day was about good citizenship, the program meets every other week to talk about different topics. The four of us in the picture above, met about two weeks ago to make a lesson plan for our visit to the school. For our lesson, we started off by asking the students to define what it means to be a good citizen. Although most of the students already had a general idea of what it meant, we decided to give them the formal definition of a good citizen. Next, we went through a role-play activity where the students were given a "good citizen" card and a "bad citizen" card, both with scenarios on them that they would act out. Each group acted out their scenario and everyone else had to determine if it was an example of good or bad citizenship. Lastly, we split the students up into three different groups to represent three locations: school, home, and the park. Each group drew examples of being a good citizen for the area they were assigned and then presented them to the class.

I really enjoyed this experience because not only did I get to work with students, but I also got the opportunity to make a lesson plan around a topic that was assigned to me. Since I haven't had much experience inside of a classroom yet, it was a little difficult to come up with activities that I knew students would enjoy. Although I struggled at first, the lesson turned out great and the kids had fun! Knowing that I am getting involved in classrooms early on and learning how to make lesson plans will both benefit me as I continue my career to become an elementary educator. I am looking forward to having more opportunities in which I can do hands-on learning in elementary classrooms!

Pencils of Promise Presentation

Global Knowledge - Engagement Event

On September 22, 2016 from 7:15-8:15 p.m. in Talley Mountains Ballroom, Michael Dougherty, the CEO of the Pencils of Promise (PoP) presented about why he first got involved and why others should get involved with the organization. To the right is a photo of Michael Dougherty and the members of PoP at NC State. The main purpose of PoP is to build schools around the world in order to provide an education for children who may have been deprived of one previously. Since the organization was created, more than 300 schools have been built. The organization was launched at NC State in the fall of 2015 and has already raised $5,360 in the last year. Michael Dougherty said,"We believe every child should have access to quality education. We create schools, programs, and global communities around the common goal of education for all." By achieving these goals in developing countries, students can extend their years of learning which also increases their economic mobility. Dougherty told us the story of how a teacher he had said to them everyday, "go forth and spread beauty and light." He said that he took those words to heart and used them as motivation to make a difference, which he does now through PoP. This presentation changed my point of view and really brought to my attention how much others may be struggling. I believe that all children should have a right to education and should be given the opportunity to succeed. As a future educator, this event proved to me how important teachers and the right learning environment are to students. I feel very passionate about what PoP does and I am planning on joining the organization to help make a difference!

To learn more about Pencils of Promise or make a donation visit: https://pencilsofpromise.org/

Orientation Leader - New Student Programs

Professional Development - Signature Event

This past summer I was lucky enough to work alongside the best people as an Orientation Leader (OL) for New Student Programs at NC State. This signature event began in January of 2016 and was over on August 12, 2016. After being offered the position of an OL, we were enrolled in a class during the spring semester that would prepare us for our job over the summer. Above is a photo of me as a representative of the College of Education. Fun fact: each of the colleges was represented by at least one OL!

The main role of an OL is to assist new students and their families with their transition into the Wolfpack family. Our days began very early, with a 7 a.m. staff meeting in which we would receive our schedule for the day. Most days, we would receive a list of students that would be in our group for the duration of their orientation session. The photo on the left is a combination of mine and another OL's groups getting ready to go eat lunch together. Throughout the day we attended sessions with our students and facilitated activities to create dialogue about difficult topics. After all of the informational presentations were over, students got to learn a little more about the expectations and culture of the campus through a reader's theater and skits put on by the OLs. The day was concluded with an event called Packs and Rec where students were able to play games and hang out with their peers, and a final staff meeting at 10 p.m. to wrap up the day. 

I had the best summer ever working as an Orientation Leader! This experience made me a better leader and taught me many things. One of the main things I learned was how to speak in front of large groups. Before this experience, I often got very shaky when I would try to present information in front of people I didn't know. I also could not keep a conversation going with someone who I had nothing in common with. Both of these skills will be very useful to me as a teacher in the future. After this experience, I can definitely say that I grew as a person. Along with getting to meet many students in my groups, I was also able to form really strong friendships with 39 other Orientation Leaders who all came from different backgrounds and had many different things to contribute to the team. We spent every weekday working with each other, and went on some fun trips together on the weekends. Sometimes I really can't put into words how much this experience has changed me for the better, and its all thanks to these people! 

At the beginning of this experience, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I was warned about the long hours and the never ending presentations, but this was all worth it in the end. Being an Orientation Leader is definitely an experience I will never forget. Since being an OL, I have had the confidence to reach out to other organizations on campus. I joined Kappa Delta, a sorority here at NC State, in which I have met many fantastic people. I encourage everyone to go a little bit outside of their comfort zone because great things can happen. For me, it all started with a red polo!

To learn more about the position of an Orientation Leader, visit: https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/studentleadership/ol/ 

Sisterhood Dinner

Cross Cultural Skills - Engagement Event

On Monday, February 29, 2016, from 6pm -8:30pm I attended the 35th annual Sisterhood Dinner. This event was put on by the Council on the Status of Women at NC State and was held in Talley ballroom. I was offered to join the table of students (and administrator) representing Exploratory Studies. It was nice to talk to all of these students who have different majors, especially to see their differing perspectives on the topics presented at the event. The evening began with a silent auction and refreshments, followed by a delicious dinner, and concluded with a panel of four women speaking about how they have been empowered throughout their lives. The slogan for the event was LEAP which stood for Lead, Empower, Act, and Prevail. Each panelist spoke about each of the four categories and how they made an impact in their lives. I was able to get involved in the event by talking to my peers about how women can be successful in each of these categories. This event really motivated me to be better. Listening to other women speak about their experiences and how they have been successful made me want to better myself and get involved with more things on and off campus. It gave me the motivation to want to be an inspiration for other women just like these panelists were for me. Hopefully I can empower more women to "LEAP" in their everyday lives!

Visit to Kestrel Heights School

Professional Development - Engagement Event

Hello again! On Thursday, February 12, 2016 from 8:30am - 12pm I got the chance to visit Kestrel Heights Elementary and Middle Schools. This event was provided for us by Regina Williams with the College of Education. First we met everyone at the elementary school which, from the outside, Kestrel Heights did not look like a school, but once we got inside it definitely had a more welcoming feel. We met the principal Mrs. Webb, who gave us a very nice tour around her school. One thing that I found very interesting about the tour was that she said they have limited space, but use every inch of what they can. I really did see this in action as we walked through the school where they had kids in the hallway doing P.E. class and faculty using "the laundry room" as their office. Another aspect of the school that I really enjoyed was that all of the walls were different colors so that the students and parents wouldn't get lost. I thought this was a great idea because it was confusing to someone like me who doesn't go there everyday. Mrs. Webb and her staff were very kind as we walked around the school and I really loved the whole atmosphere. After the tour in the elementary school, we went on to the tour at the middle school. The tour was very brief but it was great to see how the two compared. The assistant principal of the middle school, Ms. Villegas brought us into the school's media center and told us about how the students are put into a lottery in order to come to Kestrel Heights. She told us a little more about the school and then brought us into the sixth grade hallway to walk in on some classes. Middle school was a lot different of a feel because things were more serious and students are at the age where they are becoming more independent. After going on the tours, I was able to see what it is actually like being inside the school and being inside the classroom. This definitely introduced me to a new point of view of "behind the scenes" in schools. For example, I was able to see how Kestrel Heights struggles to find room for their students and staff, as well as seeing how they run classes and the "method behind the madness." Even though I am not familiar with everything that goes into teaching just yet, going to this event reassured me that being a teacher in the future is definitely something I can see myself doing!

Outclass the Competition: Protocol Etiquette Seminar

Professional Development - Engagement Event

I am proud to announce that I have attended my first event for the Passport program, and it was a great experience! On Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 8:30am - 3:30pm, I attended the event Outclass the Competition: Protocol Etiquette Seminar hosted by the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Center and put on in Talley Student Union. The workshop was led by Kay Leonard, Chief of Protocol at Joint Special Operations University (JSOU). Throughout the day we learned how to give the "ultimate greeting," how to "dine like a diplomat," and "dress for success." Each section involved a short presentation from Ms. Leonard and allotted time to interact with one another and practice what we were being taught. 

"If you're going to play the game, you better know the rules." This was the quote Ms. Leonard shared with us at the beginning of the day. From this, she taught us how to play the part in professionalism and how to act as the guest or the host in a situation. When showing us how to give the "ultimate greeting" Ms. Leonard showed us the proper way to give a handshake. I remember when I first learned how to greet someone with a handshake, my dad would tell me to have a firm hand, but not to squeeze the other person's hand too hard. I had a general basis of how to shake someone's hand, but it was interesting to me to be able to shake many people's hands and get feedback on how my handshake was. The main thing that I enjoyed about the workshop was that I got to interact with almost every person in the room and receive feedback on how I was applying the techniques we were being taught. Here are a few tips I learned about giving the ultimate greeting: always keep your right hand free, have good posture and stand up if you are seated, and maintain good eye contact to make the person you are greeting feel welcome. 

The next section of the day was learning how to "dine like a diplomat." This was my favorite part of the day because I learned so much about placement, manners, and how to give a toast. Ms. Leonard first presented about how the table should be set up at a professional dinner with a four-course meal. After we had a clear idea of how to dine with etiquette, we went to our own four-course meal and practiced! We learned the acronym "SOLTOR" which means to serve on the left and take on the right. This would be used by the host or waiter/waitress. A few tips that I found interesting during this sections were to work from the outside-in with your silverware, to never put your napkin on the table until you are done, and to always thank the host and guest of honor at the end of the meal. I also learned how to give a proper toast if you are the host of the meal. I have never given a toast before but I learned a lot from Ms. Leonard's presentation and from practicing at the table. Now if I am ever eating dinner with the President, I will know how to give a proper toast! 

In the final portion of the day, we learned how to "dress for success." I found this section very valuable to me because I am at a point in my life where I need to look professional for interviews or business meetings I will attend in the future. The picture on the right is of Ms. Leonard speaking to us about the colors of success and how to impress your interviewer. She told us that some safe colors to wear to an interview are blue, gray, black, and white. A few other tips that I found helpful during this section were to carry a jacket just in case, eat a small amount before the event, and to ask first before taking notes. One main thing that stuck with me that Ms. Leonard said was, "The chances of getting a job are zero if you don't know what you want." This is very applicable to me as an undergraduate student. I feel that I need to make sure I know what I want to get out of things before I attend an event, that way I can focus on achieving the goals that I set for myself. 

One thing that drew me to this workshop is that my grandma is a big stickler on etiquette, especially at the dinner table. She used to tell me which silverware to use when, not to put my elbows on the table, to keep my napkin in my lap, and she would always get onto the servers when they cleared the table while she was still eating. After taking part in this event, I was able to let her know that I can "outclass the competition" by using all the information I learned to be professional in a work setting. I learned a lot about how to act, dress, and be professional when a certain situation requires it. By interacting with many different people throughout the day, I became more comfortable with making small talk and maintaining eye contact throughout conversations. I am now able to use this experience to better me as a professional in my life and in my future career as a teacher. This was a great experience and I would recommend this to any of my peers who would like to learn how to use proper etiquette in a professional situation!