Tag: joy

Retracing my Life Map

April 16, 2017

At a recent Learning and Development day at the Starbucks Headquarters in Seattle, I was pleasantly surprised by the insight I gathered on my own life.

What I’ve recently learned about myself is that I’ve always been the person who never really knew what was next in life for me. In talking about what was next, most times it’s always been: “I’m working on figuring it out.” I’ve never had specific long-term goals. Every thing has sort of fit the expression: we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. In high school, I didn’t have a dream college. I didn’t have a dream career and I still don’t. I went into my Freshman year as “undecided” or as “undeclared” as I preferred to call it.

Retracing my life map, I zoomed in on different pieces of what has made me who I am – who I was as a grade school student, who I was as a college student, who I am because of my family, and who I am right now.

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I used these notes to talk about life story to strangers to professionals at Starbucks and it was nice to be able to write it down, see, and hear how my story is unique and different from others.
  • Grade School Student: I found the theme of knowledge. I was always curious about things that I didn’t know about or had never tried. Joining clubs and sports that challenged my intellect, leadership, and various skills.
  • College Student: I found the theme of service and leadership. I joined communities and took on roles that were focused on empowering others through relationship-building, leadership, and meeting others where they are at.
  • Family: I found the theme of creating a path of my own. As the oldest of seven siblings, a first generation American and college student, and daughter of parents who didn’t complete High School, I internally told myself that I had the power to determine where my path can go.
  • Present: I’ve been focusing on values that I have been letting guide me, professionally and personally: self-awareness, growth, and goal-setting.

So the million dollar question is: “what’s next after City Year?”

What I can say is that in thinking about the path that I’ve created and what’s next, I’m finding that I want to take my love and values for these themes in my life to help empower others to be their best selves and to use their path to strengthen their values and lead them to where they feel purpose and joy. I want to use my skills in creative storytelling and communication to share the work and experiences of communities and individuals.

Where this will lead me, I’m not sure, but as usual, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Back to Where it Began

March 30, 2017

Last night, I went back to the elementary school I served in last year for their Math Night. Walking through the front doors always takes me back to when I would get off the bus and relax on the chair in the lobby for a few minutes before our 7:30am circle. This time, I was greeted by their current City Year team. I walked happily down the stairs to the cafeteria and immediately saw a student from last year who told his City Year to tell me to come to Math Night so he could see me. He was being lectured by his mom and a teacher as I walked up toward them and that was humorous to me. I quickly decided to not interrupt their conversation and then heard a chiming of “MS. NHOELL!!!” Three of my students from last year ran up for hugs. It was so nice seeing familiar faces and getting free pizza 🙂 I was so busy looking for students and being approached by students and staff. It was so crazy to think that this was the community I was a part of before the one that I’m currently in. My cup was being filled with so much joy! Before I knew it, I was reminded that I was a volunteer and that I had to go to my station for the night.

Math is definitely not my biggest strength, but luckily I knew how to measure the diameter of a cookie! Students had to pick a cookie and measure its diameter with a mini ruler. Once they had their measurement, I’d give them a sticker and say, “You measured the diameter of your Oreo! NOW you can eat it!”

It was great seeing so many students and their families excited about math together. So many students swarmed my table. You could say it was because I had free cookies, but I’d like to think it was because good ol’ Ms. Nhoell was back.

Who can brighten your day?

March 4, 2017

As I mentioned previously, City Year is a unique experience. It’s challenging and rewarding. At times, it’s easy to think that it’s just challenging. When I need to be reminded that it’s also rewarding, I know that I can count on others who are going through this unique City Year experience as well. Particularly a Team Leader and particularly a good friend of mine – Deanna.

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Taking a moment from power greeting to take a little selfie together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

When I first met Deanna back in August of 2015 and found out she was also from North Carolina, I was excited to have that connection, being that I moved across the country not knowing anyone. It was even cooler finding out that our hometowns were just 25 minutes apart from each other. As Corps Members were assigned their school teams, oddly enough, the two of us were assigned to the same school team and were both assigned to work with the third grade team in English Language Arts. Out of the 84 other Corps Members, it was about as close as two people could work together in City Year. Same City Year site, school team, grade level, and down to the same subject to tutor. With this, we were given opportunities to collaborate, considering that our work was similarly aligned.

As the year progressed, I learned more about Deanna. I learned about what she was interested in, how she spent her time outside of work, and who she was a person through quality time and collaboration. We ran our after-school group together. We were responsible for a program, catering to our 10 third graders, with high quality and effectiveness. We did this by making sure they understood not just the ELA lesson, but also some social and emotional skills along the way. It went without saying that we had high expectations for ourselves and our students and working together was not only easy, but enjoyable.

Deanna and I both serve as Team Leaders this year and I still find it easy and enjoyable to collaborate with her. We may not be on the same school team, working with the same students, but I love that we both make time to self-care with each other by spending quality time with together. I’ve always admired her patience, integrity, empathy, and ability to provide perspective. There have been countless times where she makes me think about another way to think about a situation with care and authenticity. Not many people have this ability and I consider myself lucky to call someone like Deanna a close friend. She helps me be my best self and I really can’t thank her enough for just simply being her. So when time’s get a little challenging, you bet I can count on Ms. Deanna to brighten up my day with her light. Who can brighten your day with their light? Let them know.

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Deanna, I’m so grateful that City Year has brought the two of us together because knowing that I have a lifelong friend is pretty freaking cool. Thank you for being you.

February Reflection

March 1, 2017

This month’s reflection is largely themed on City Year’s PITW # 158:

“It’s a privilege for all of us to serve at City Year.”

Last week, my gratitude for the work we do and the opportunities that are available for us to take advantage of was renewed. I mean it’s pretty awesome to have such a unique role in a school and in education – someone who isn’t a teacher, but can still have the opportunities to teach planned lessons to students. Someone who doesn’t have to discipline students, but can still hold them to high expectations. We can also develop relationships in a way that other school “adults” cannot. The red jacket distinguishes us, physically, but it also means that our role is different. Sometimes the role isn’t all too clear, but I can say that I’m grateful to be able to work in a school every day and have students ask questions and express themselves to me in ways that they might not be able to do with other adults. The near-peer relationship truly makes a difference.

The opportunities are certainly what you make of it at City Year. Professionally, I have developed by just working on and with a diverse team. A team that is made up of different backgrounds, experiences, and varying styles of learning and communication. Being able go through the process of navigating and understanding the unique individuals I work with has been so rewarding and worthwhile. Individualizing and adapting has made me more aware of others and myself. I’ve gained and developed skills that I once thought I was proficient at, but realized I wasn’t until I found myself working with others who were completely different than myself. Intellectually, my mind has explored different ideas and perspectives. Ideas and perspectives of other people who come with rich knowledge on various passions. With this, most times I just choose to just stop, listen, and admire what others have to share. I may not completely understand, but when I hear others speak so passionately, it’s special. I’ve also become more reflective in my service about myself in different contexts. I’ve thought about who I am when I’m at work, when I’m at home. Who I am as a friend, a leader, a daughter, a sister. Who I am as an Asian female who is a first-generation college student and has moved so far away from her family. I’ve learned that things can be complicated, but I’m also learning what things I should simplify and what things I should really think more into.

As I’m approaching my 18 months of service with City Year, I can 100% say that it’s tested me in all kinds of ways. It’s challenged my emotions, my resilience, my confidence, and many other vital components of my being. I can also 100% say that I don’t regret my decision in choosing to commit a year of service and also a second year of service. This unique experience has offered me so much and luckily I’ve taken learning opportunities to grow and persevere. I don’t think I could have gained what I have from anything other than City Year, considering what point I’m at in life. It truly is a privilege to serve at City Year.

Changing the world, one pun at a time.

February 3, 2017

Recess is a time where I can be as silly as possible with students. The added physical activity is a bonus too. One of my team members joked that by the end of the year, I would become “a jock” because I’ve been getting into any game I can with students. Soccer, four-square, football, tag, jump rope…you name it!

Today, I decided to approach the cool guys of 3rd grade and one 2nd grader in their 2 on 2 game of basketball. I confidently announced, “Alright! Ms. Cara and I are in!” I can do that on rare occasions when I’m taller than the students. We shocked them at first because we interrupted their game, but I think they were more excited to defeat us. So they thought. Unsurprisingly, they put the 2nd grade boy with the two City Years.

If I’m playing any game with the “cool kids,” I make sure to act as crazy and goofy as possible. That’s just what I did, incorporating some exaggerated movements in my defense and offense. There was also some dabbing. “COME ON, LEBRON! WHATCHA GOT?!” was repeatedly asked as I was embarrassingly defending one student that insisted “Lebron” over his real name. It really was all fun and games as it was a close competition!

Recently, I’ve also gotten into embodying the role of a commentator, even when I’m playing in the game. Willie, one of boys on the opposing team, had possession of the ball and as he was about to shoot, I asked, “Will he make it?!” Because my brain functions through puns and play on words most times, I then shouted, “WILLIE, MAKE IT!” Instantly, a burst of laughter was released…from just me.

From then on, each time Willie had possession of the ball and went for a shot, you bet I repeated my newfound line of brilliance. One of his teammates, out of nowhere, gleefully said to me, “HA! I get it!” My eyes lit up. “YOU DO?! ISN’T IT FUNNY?!” He laughed and said, “yeah.”

Right then, the bell to end recess rang.

“I don’t get it,” admitted Willie. As I was explaining to Ms. Cara about how proud I was that the 3rd grader got my pun, I glanced over to see him with his arm over Willie’s shoulder as they were walking, explaining the pun to him. “Will he make it? WILL, get it?! Willie. Will he…”

It was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.

Ms. Cara: “Changing the world…”

Me: “One pun at a time.”

On Time and Here Every day!

January 24, 2017

It’s Tuesday and at our school that means that it’s “No Tardy Tuesday!”

Attendance is a focus that is important to the school and also City Year because we know that when students are at school, that’s when they have the opportunity to learn. When they’re not at school, they’re missing out on learning.

Every Tuesday, at 7:55am, our Attendance Coordinator goes on the intercom and congratulates everyone that is in their classroom on time. He then plays a song that has been requested by a student and for about a minute, the song is played for students to freely dance and get their energy out, all in celebration of being on time to class.

This morning, the song was requested by a student who LOVES John Cena. I’m talking about LOVES him so much that his nickname is John Cena and he embodies John Cena’s personality with his super serious face and overall demeanor. With all that said, the song he requested was John Cena’s theme song (the infamous song he walks out to before he starts his wrestling match). When I heard the song he requested, I cracked up because I was imagining the student’s reaction to the song playing and how serious he would take it! Don’t know what the song sounds like? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LitDGyxFh4

This gave me lots of joy this morning and made me realize what great effort is going into our attendance work at our school. Even when students are late, we take the time to write each student a pass to class and ask them what color they’re feeling on the mood meter. After they’ve identified their emotion, they’re sent to class with their teacher now knowing how to adjust their communication and teaching based on how that particular student is feeling.

I’d say our goal is not to have every single student with perfect attendance, but for every single student to feel like their presence is valued and that their voices are being heard when they are at school.

 

Gettin’ Crafty!

November 24, 2016

The principal is very fond of the fact that I enjoy making visuals and so when she asked if I could work on the huge bulletin board in the main hallway, of course I said yes.

“I was thinking something like The Starry Night, but it doesn’t have to look exactly like it of course. Are you sure it’s not asking too much?”

“Oh no, I’d love to do it,” I answered as I realized that I’ve never created anything remotely close to Vincent Van Gogh before. The challenge was super exciting to me and so I got started on it the very next morning at 8:30am and was finished with the background around 11:30am. I had lunch and then stuck the title on with some help from a fellow corps member since 5 ft. Nhoell is only vertically capable of so much.

As I was working on this, there was not a single passing person that didn’t have anything to say about it. It was surprising in the most wonderful way. Staff members asked if I did art like this outside of work and were surprised when I said no. They told me that my art makes the students happy and that it makes a huge difference for the feel of the school. It was nice to have the staff pass by several times throughout the process and each time giving a genuine expression of impression.

It was great receiving such positive feedback from others and at the same time, I was really impressed by myself. As someone who doesn’t practice this sort of art during my free time, as it was coming together, I was honestly surprised by the result. I enjoy creating visuals for others for the look and feel of a space and so when it comes to taking the time to create these visuals, I don’t find it to be tedious and draining. If anything, it’s fulfilling and joyful!

The bulletin board is going to bordered by stars that showcase what hopes and dreams parents have for their children and also the hopes and dreams that students have for themselves!

PITW #98

November 21, 2016

All People – Especially Young People – Need the Same Ten Things.

  1. Meaning
  2. Adventure
  3. Community
  4. Power
  5. Respect
  6. Structure
  7. Challenge
  8. Opportunity
  9. Joy
  10. Love

I share this PITW as I approach fall break and it’s a great time to relax, but I feel like it’s also a good time to reflect on my life and think about these 10 things. How are they going for me right now? Is there something that’s been missing? Are there people who can help provide any of these things? Which of these is most important to me?