Service Learning Experience

When I attended my first experience with service learning, I was very excited but yet a little nervous. I am doing service learning in a second grade classroom at Milwaukee College Prep, a charter school in Milwaukee. After learning in class about what a charter school is supposed to be, I can say that Milwaukee College Prep does a great job of fulfilling the role of a charter school. On my first day of service learning, I walked into the hallway to find that all of the classes were named after a University and all classes had huge banners above the doors stating the year that they are to graduate high school. This was very surprising to me, but it fit very well with the mission of the school which is "To college and beyond". This saying is enforced daily in the classroom and the students are always expected to be the best student that they can be. For example, when the students line up to go to a different class they are all completly silent and in a straight line or else they are not allowed to carry on to their next class. In addition, in the rare instance that a child does misbehave, they are asked to make a deposit. This means that the child must give their fake money to the teacher and get a letter signed by their parents. From the 6 or 7 times I have went to service learning, there has only been 1 deposit given, in which case, the child cried. In a class that is 100% African American, none of the kids lash out, skip school, or disrespect their teachers or visitors such as myself. The school is doing a great job of educating these children in not only the required curriculum but in life as well. During my time at the school, my role has been different almost everytime. I have done everything from grading papers, helping with math problems, going to recess, helping with science class, having books read to me, and even disiplinary issues. It has been a great experience which has taught me that I really will enjoy being a teacher.