Lacey Bauver
HDFS 500
November 1, 2017
Project LINK Blog


1. Where the student volunteered their time: I volunteered my time at Winget Park Elementary School.


2. How the service activity reflected concepts learned in the HDFS curriculum: I am a people person, like to lead and teach, enjoy creative thinking, enjoy public speaking, take pride in my organizational and presentation skills, and want to make a difference in the lives of children and families. This service activity fulfilled all of these components. I was able to talk and spend time with the students very often. The teacher allowed me to stand up in front of the class several times and lead a lesson that she wrote out for the day. By the end of my 15 hours, all of the students loved me and didn't want me to leave. This experience was wonderful and very rewarding.


3. How the student networked with other professionals while participating in the activity and what they gained from that networking: While participating, I was able to go to the different classrooms as well as the different rooms where other subjects were happening. For example, music, gym, chorus, lunch, art, etc. Each teacher allowed me to observe and talk with the students while I was in their rooms. Being able to communicate with the students and the teachers was helpful because I got to hear both points of view if there was ever a dilemma or miscommunication.


4. The potential effect the service activity and or the service organization can have (or does have) on the community: This school takes pride in their school and their students as well. Their number one goal is to see their students succeed in what they do. Winget Park Elementary School has a very strict rule against bullying which really stuck out to me. I have always been against bullying since I was little because I was a victim of bullying. Knowing that school enforces this rule really made me happy to have chosen this place to observe.


 5. A general reflection on the assignment (e.g., reactions, feelings, life lessons): My overall reflection from doing this assignment is very positive. I had a great time observing these students and teachers and learned a lot about how much patience is takes to be a fifth grade teacher and how much drama is going on in fifth grade! I feel proud to have went and observed there for fifteen hours because every time I showed up, all of the students went from saying hi, to running up and hugging me! It was a very rewarding feeling knowing that these students looked forward to me every time I showed up. I learned that as long as you feel like you've made a positive influence on the students' lives, you've done your job successfully.