During my CAS experience, I volunteered to help teach foundation mathematics to students from underprivileged backgrounds at a government school in Surat. The goal of my effort was to provide the students with an opportunity to build their foundation in both mathematics and language, while still maintaining an element of fun, relatability, and engagement in their learning experience.
LO3 – Initiate and Plan a CAS Experience
When planning and preparing these learning sessions, I worked diligently to align my lesson topics with the student’s individual levels of ability and help inform my choice of learning activities and exercises. Each lesson was built around simple problem-solving exercises and interactive activities that encouraged student involvement and interest in the subject matter. Working directly with the school’s administration allowed me to create effective schedules and create a flexible teaching method based on the needs of the students. This was a valuable experience that allowed me to understand the importance of preparation and flexibility when creating a learning environment that provides students with meaningful learning opportunities.
LO4 – Show Perseverance and Commitment in CAS Experiences
My involvement in this project required me to show commitment, dedication, and perseverance. Every Saturday, we visited the school, regardless of our academic load or fatigue. While it was often difficult to manage multiple commitments and responsibilities, our reliability and consistency were necessary for the students to have the support they needed to succeed. I learned that perseverance does not only refer to finishing a task; it also involves an ongoing commitment to achieving the desired outcome for yourself and your students. From this experience, I developed a stronger sense of responsibility and resilience.
LO5 – Demonstrate the Skills and Recognize the Benefits of Working Collaboratively
To succeed, our project utilized collaboration. The whole team contributed in different ways, with some members having teaching responsibilities while others focused on activity organization and lesson plan design. As we collaborated, we shared ideas, supported each other through challenges, and celebrated each other’s accomplishments. This collaboration helped me recognize the impact of teamwork, effective communication, and support from one another when working together, and how this positively contributes to creating a productive learning environment.
LO6 – Engagement with Issues of Global Significance
In addition to addressing larger issues facing the world (e.g., child welfare, educational equity), this CAS experience raised awareness about the need for equitable access to education and created an understanding of how local actions contribute to these issues at the global level. Our local initiatives promoting inclusive education were part of the larger international effort toward achieving educational equity. Similarly, environmental initiatives we implemented provided an opportunity to raise awareness of health, well-being, and the importance of sustainability. Through this experience, I learned that local efforts and small actions, when taken collectively, can lead to significant improvements for global concerns and foster a sense of global citizenship.
LO7 – Recognize and Consider the Ethics of Choices and ActionsWorking with students from disadvantaged backgrounds taught me the importance of ethical responsibility, as well as the ability to recognize their own needs and adapt our methods accordingly. We were consistently respectful, patient, and empathetic to all students, and we promoted fairness, kindness, and ethical responsibility through teaching, games, and other activities. Through these experiences, I came to understand how compassion and respect can have a profound impact on the lives of others.
