Community service is an annual school event where for 3 consecutive weekends, student volunteers teach different things to students from underprivileged schools. This year, I participated as the dance incharge which entailed choreographing and teaching over 80 students the dances with my team members. Finally, we put up a a performance on the final day in front of the school.

LO 1 – Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.

Even though I have been a dancer for a long time, I learned that dancing and teaching dance are two very different things. I learned that my strength was how quickly I choreographed the dances and how I was able to make the choreography simple yet appealing. However, an area of growth I found was slowing down the teaching to ensure the kids understood the steps thoroughly.

LO 2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

Not every session went smoothly. Some students were hesitant to participate, others found certain steps too difficult, and sometimes, it was challenging to keep everyone interested. I had to continuously encourage them, simplify complex moves when needed, and find creative ways to keep attention. Another challenge for me was communication as most of the students were comfortable with Gujarati as a language but I am not fluent in it. So, I learned to understand bits of what they were saying and expressed myself accordingly.

LO 3 – Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

Since I was in charge of dance, I had to plan each session. I structured the lessons so students would gradually build the dance skills, starting with simple movements and progressing to a full routine for the final performance. I also had to coordinate with other volunteers to ensure our practice sessions fit within the larger schedule of activities.

LO 4 – Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.

Teaching dance required long hours of preparation, and I had to show up every weekend with the same level of energy and enthusiasm. Even on days when I was exhausted, I reminded myself of the impact of this experience. Even before the sessions began, I had to work with my co-incharge to choreograph all the dances and pick the right songs during our free slots.

LO 5 – Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

This experience was deeply collaborative. I worked closely with the other volunteers to ensure the overall event ran smoothly. I also worked with my co-incharge to choreograph all the dances, keeping in mind that the choreographies have to be simple enough to follow along. More importantly, I worked with the students, understanding their individual strengths, encouraging them to support one another, and turning our dance practice into a collective effort.

LO 6 – Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

The students I taught came from underprivileged backgrounds, and I became more aware of the barriers they faced in accessing creative opportunities like dance. This made me even more determined to create a space where they felt valued and confident. It reminded me that many people do not have access to creative opportunities or even just the chance to express themselves through dance, which should be an outlet accessible to all.

LO 7 – Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

As a mentor, I had a responsibility to create a positive and encouraging learning environment. I made sure that every student felt included and comfortable, ensuring that no one was pressured beyond their limits. I also encouraged respect and support among the students, creating a space where they could express themselves freely without fear of judgment. It was difficult at first because some students were shy and did not want to dance due to fear of judgement but I worked with the other volunteers to ensure that they felt comfortable and confident by the end.