GLAD House Internship Experience
During my junior year at CCM, I was given the opportunity to participate in an internship at a community organization called GLAD House. This internship was music-related and was focused on the elementary grade levels, which I felt confident in planning and teaching. However, this internship was a bit different than others offered to junior-level students at CCM. Many internships are completed with upper-middle class students from large high schools with a decent musical background. The GLAD House internship, on the other hand, involved teaching students of multiple grade levels who may or may not have music classes at their school. Some of the students knew some very basic information about music, but we were starting from the beginning with many of the students in the program.
In addition to working with a large age variance and differing musical backgrounds, we also had the added details of working with students who are at a program for children in families struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. These students are working toward mental health and breaking the cycle of addiction that many children fall prey to if drug and alcohol abuse has been a part of their home life while growing up. Because of this, I went into this program a bit apprehensive, but determined to provide these students with more than just musical knowledge and some songs in their back pocket. I wanted these children to open up, express themselves in new ways, and gain confidence that they are successful and unique individuals. This made the internship about more than just a once-per-week music class. It was an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who are thirsting for something more in life and who are trying to find who they are.
Even though I can reminisce about all the smiles, hugs, and "lightbulb moments" that made GLAD House important for the students, I can think of many more instances where the students taught me about who I am and what I value. Many of these students have difficulty knowing where their next meal will come from or who, if anyone, will pick them up after school. They don't know if their home will be a stable environment or one from which they want to flee. These students gave me comfort and humbled me. I know that I am privileged to have had the childhood I did. I learned a great deal about teaching and about how to teach a group as varied and rambunctious as this one. Truly, as long as teachers always remember that you must first reach the needs of the student and show them you are invested in them as people as well as students, the students will be there to learn and enjoy their learning with you.
It was a long, difficult, rewarding year at GLAD House, and that doesn't even begin to sum it up! I have included my honors proposal, since this was a self-designed experience. I have also attached a reflection of the experience as well as my final teaching reflection. Below is a video clip of my teaching. I am not able to include a full video because I cannot publicly use any footage that shows the students' faces. However, I think this gives a good example of the types of activities we planned for the students, as well as their excitement in learning.
In addition to working with a large age variance and differing musical backgrounds, we also had the added details of working with students who are at a program for children in families struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. These students are working toward mental health and breaking the cycle of addiction that many children fall prey to if drug and alcohol abuse has been a part of their home life while growing up. Because of this, I went into this program a bit apprehensive, but determined to provide these students with more than just musical knowledge and some songs in their back pocket. I wanted these children to open up, express themselves in new ways, and gain confidence that they are successful and unique individuals. This made the internship about more than just a once-per-week music class. It was an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who are thirsting for something more in life and who are trying to find who they are.
Even though I can reminisce about all the smiles, hugs, and "lightbulb moments" that made GLAD House important for the students, I can think of many more instances where the students taught me about who I am and what I value. Many of these students have difficulty knowing where their next meal will come from or who, if anyone, will pick them up after school. They don't know if their home will be a stable environment or one from which they want to flee. These students gave me comfort and humbled me. I know that I am privileged to have had the childhood I did. I learned a great deal about teaching and about how to teach a group as varied and rambunctious as this one. Truly, as long as teachers always remember that you must first reach the needs of the student and show them you are invested in them as people as well as students, the students will be there to learn and enjoy their learning with you.
It was a long, difficult, rewarding year at GLAD House, and that doesn't even begin to sum it up! I have included my honors proposal, since this was a self-designed experience. I have also attached a reflection of the experience as well as my final teaching reflection. Below is a video clip of my teaching. I am not able to include a full video because I cannot publicly use any footage that shows the students' faces. However, I think this gives a good example of the types of activities we planned for the students, as well as their excitement in learning.
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