# data[].attributes.body
I had a great time working at Maryland Elementary School. One special moment that stuck out to me was working with students who were english language learners. They were so excited to learn and always had a postive attitude. Using google translate was a big part of making these interactions work. I want to give a big thanks to teacher Dave Quinlan. He made my experience great. Everyday he came in with a great attitude and I really admire his teaching philosophy and classroom management skills. He is very friendly with his students, and still has a clear line of respect and boundaries. All of his students act respectful and are always engaged and participating. I admire the kind of teacher Mr. Quinlan is and will be taking what he has taught me and using it in my future classrooms.

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoyed my time at the Maryland Elementary school. I completed my service learning hours in a class of 2nd graders. They were all super sweet and it always made me smile how excited they would get when I came to their class. The moments that stuck out to me was when I would be there helping during their rotations. The kids enjoyed when I would help them if they struggled with a math problem or with their reading. Being able to help them figure out what they were struggling with made me feel proud and not only were they making an impact on me but hopefully I made one on them as well. They would sometimes get a little off topic because they wanted to talk to me about their day, so I would let them tell me something real quick and then redirect them to what they're suppose to be working on. I also noticed that they enjoyed when I would speak Spanish with them. It made me think about this class and how acknowledging and valuing their identities and language helps create a welcoming environment. Which I think is very important and something that I want to incorporate in my future classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
I absolutely loved my time working at Maryland Elementary. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the after-school reading program, supporting students from the 1st through the 3rd grade. I was especially excited when I found out, as I currently work with 1st–3rd graders in my job as well. However, this experience was different in a meaningful way.

Since I was one of the few volunteers who spoke Spanish on the days I was there, our kind site coordinator, Julie, often paired me with English learners who were so eager to grow and succeed. I had the unique opportunity to offer some dual language instruction, which allowed me to connect with the students on a deeper level.

One student I will never forget is a sweet first grader named Santiago. At first, he was a little nervous to work with me, but when Julie let him know that I spoke Spanish, his face lit up. It was such a heartwarming moment, I saw so much of myself in him. Every Monday, I made it a point to work closely with Santiago, and over time, it was incredibly rewarding to see him not only improve in his reading skills but also grow confident enough to express himself in both languages around his peers.

Santiago wasn’t the only student I had the pleasure of working with; I also had the chance to support a couple of other English learners as they developed their language skills. This experience deeply affirmed my passion for education and made me realize how much I would love to become a dual language educator in the future. I am so grateful for the memories and growth this opportunity provided.

# data[].attributes.body
I would like to start off by saying that I actually didn’t go to Maryland Elementary due to my busy schedule. Instead, I was given the opportunity to tutor a student throughout the semester, helping him feel more comfortable with writing, speaking, and reading in English. I occasionally helped out with math as well. Over the course of our tutoring sessions, I built a really cool relationship with Jesus. We found out we have a lot in common — both of us are English learners, with Spanish as our first language, and we’re both Mexican-American. Even though we share similar backgrounds, we come from different regions of Mexico, so we had the chance to educate each other about our cultures. This experience reminded me of what we learned in the textbook about the importance of culturally responsive teaching — recognizing and valuing students’ diverse backgrounds to create meaningful connections and build trust. Jesus also kept me updated on the latest Gen Z lingo, music, and fashion trends, which made our sessions even more fun and relatable. In return, I gave him a lot of advice to help him as he continues his schooling. Jesus is such a chill and hardworking guy — it honestly felt like he was my little brother. Hahaha.

# data[].attributes.body
My time at Maryland Elementary School was short but I truly learned so much about myself and how to better be of support for each student. I had the opportunity to be in a fifth grade classroom with a great teacher, I was to help three of her students that didn't know English really well practice their math and reading. In the beginning there was some hesitation from one of the students, but after a while she started to open up more and try to speak the language. Something that stuck out to me is that from a small age, these students go through life changing forms and it is up to us as the educators to bring the support to influence them to continue learning and trying new things. One concept that we learned was about how "multicultural education is basic education", clearly I saw this in the students, they were making the best of their effort in what they were doing. I absolutely enjoyed spending time with these three girls and seeing how in just 4 short weeks, they grasped so many words in English and their confidence was noticeable. Thank you for the great opportunity.

# data[].attributes.body
I really enjoyed my time working with the students and staff at Maryland Elementary. I was able to spend one-on-one time with students and also lead activities and of course I was able to play!

There were a few special moments from my time at Maryland. The most impactful was when I led a class lesson about American Sign Language. I was able to show the students several signs that they could use in the classroom. For example, I showed them the sign for help and they later would sign it to me when they wanted me to come help them with their work. This was impactful for  me because I love sign language and am planning on working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing students when I become a teacher.  After working here, I realize that I can always teach ASL to my students while teaching general education classes. Another good memory I have is when I was able to go outside  during recess and play lava monster with the class. The students would have to run between play structures with me tagging them. This was a really fun game and it helped me build a relationship with the students. It is really important for the teacher and students to have a good relationship because it improves the students’ willingness to participate in the class. One thing that relates directly to my class Education 364 is how important bilingual education is in the lives of our students.

# data[].attributes.body
One memory I really enjoyed during my time at Maryland was when I had the opportunity to visit the STEM lab. During my visit, the teacher was giving a hands-on lesson about earthquakes, and the students were learning how to build their own DIY Richter scale. It was such an engaging and creative activity, and I was immediately drawn into the energy of the classroom. The teacher did a great job breaking down a complex topic into something the students could understand and get excited about. Watching the process unfold was not only interesting, but also inspiring for me as a future STEM educator. It gave me ideas for how I might incorporate similar hands-on activities into my own classroom one day.

What stood out the most was how involved the students were. They were working in small groups, and everyone seemed to be participating fully. It was heartwarming to see them helping each other, asking thoughtful questions, and even joking around in a friendly, respectful way. There was a great sense of community and collaboration in the room, and it reminded me how important it is to create a positive and supportive learning environment.

Seeing the students’ excitement as they tested their models and applied the scientific method was truly amazing. They were not just learning about science they were doing science. I could see their curiosity and critical thinking skills in action as they made predictions, observed results, and discussed what was happening. It was a great example of active learning, and it reinforced my belief that STEM education should be interactive and student-centered.

This experience left a lasting impression on me. It helped me visualize the kind of teacher I want to become someone who encourages exploration, supports teamwork, and makes science fun and meaningful. It was a powerful reminder that learning can be both educational and enjoyable when students are given the right tools and opportunities to succeed.

# data[].attributes.body
I had a fun time working at Maryland Elementary School. I worked in a classroom that had a lot of students that spoke Spanish as their primary language so I would pull them out of the classroom and help with English worksheets. Some of the students would come do math worksheets as well, but I primarily would help these 3 students in particular. One memory that I will never forget while being there was when one of the students stated how much fun she was having doing worksheets with me and that she would miss me once I stopped coming. I did not think that the kids really cared much about who was helping them and lots of them had complained when having to be pulled out, but this student in particular just really would try to have conversations and get to know me. She said that they had people come twice a week to help them, but she loved the days that I came. It really warmed my heart to see the impact I was making on these students in just the short time I was there. We learned in our class that the connections with teachers/ support staff can really make a difference in their education.

# data[].attributes.body
I absolutely loved being a part of Maryland Elementary School. All of the students and staff there were incredibly welcoming. One special moment I had while being there was helping a student with his math. He was working on his behavior and attitude in the classroom, so he was put with me at the back table to go over his lesson. At first, he did not open up to me and was somewhat unwilling to do the work. However, by the end of class he was actively participating, had a positive attitude about it, and even gave me a hug when I left. It truly made me feel good knowing that I was able to make a small difference in his day at school. Something I am extremely grateful for is that I was placed with two staff members. For the first half of each day I was there, I was helping a staff member that provided emotional support for students that tended to have behavior issues. Her name is Ms. V. It was amazing to see how well she worked with the kids as she listened with intent to all of their stories and feelings. She is an excellent example for how to approach different situations and how to help students work through personal issues. The second half of my day was spent with a third grade teacher, Mr. Quinlan. He is a ROCKSTAR! He is so patient with his students and always has a smile on his face. I could tell the students loved being in his class. He was really helpful in letting me take the reins with small groups. I truly loved being a part of both of their classrooms. In this class, we learned different ways to include everyone and to embrace everyone's cultural background. This was a very diverse campus, and it was definitely apparent that most students showed gratitude for each other's backgrounds. More importantly, it was amazing to see how the teachers embraced them as well. They were more than willing to listen and to see all of their students through the eyes of equality.

# data[].attributes.body
I truly had a great experience at Maryland Elementary. One special memory I have from my time at Maryland Elementary school was watching a student who had been really shy finally raise their hand and participate during a group activity. It might seem small, but in that moment, I saw confidence starting to grow. It reminded me of what we learned in class about the importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel like they belong. That kind of growth doesn't happen by accident- it happens because of teachers who care.

I want to express my gratitude to Ms. Curley for being one of those teachers. Her patience, warmth, encouragement made such a difference. Not just for the students but for me too, her teaching style was something I admire. She created a space where every student's voice mattered, and that had a lasting impact. I learned so much from watching how she connects with her class making learning feel meaningful and fun.

Thank you Ms. Curley, for showing me what great teaching looks like they are so lucky to have you!

# data[].attributes.body
I really enjoyed my time at Maryland Elementary!! My service-learning experience happened during the student's lunch break, and I was able to provide activities for kids who maybe were not in the mood to play on the playground or maybe their friends were not there that day and who wanted to use some of their creative skills. I had lots of games: connect four, chutes & ladders, memory games, and candy land. But what I found the kids really loved after the few days I had been there was artwork. I really enjoyed my time drawing out what the kids would paint or color on the days I came to visit. I loved when the kids would be creative and use the time to draw and create cars or artwork for their loved ones, during this time they would tell me about who the painting or drawing was for and why they wanted to create it for their loved ones. Often the kids would create birthday cards, or sweet pictures of experiences they had with loved ones. This experience was truly an amazing time, I had so much fun with the kids and i'm thankful for my time at Maryland. Above I provided some of the kids creations they wanted me to take home, I will cherish my time and memories with all of them.

# data[].attributes.body
I had an amazing time working at Maryland Elementary school. I worked in a 4th grade classroom and then would help during lunch time and provide activities for kids who didn't wanted to play with Sarah. I ended up getting to work with grades 1st through 4th and really got to see and bond with each individual kid. There was this little 2nd grader who would also come up to me during lunch. She didn't speak a lot of English and I don't speak a lot of Spanish. But she would always smile at me and come up to me with this snail puppet that Sarah and I would bring out during lunch time. Every Friday I looked forwarded to coming to Maryland just to see her bright smile as she would follow me around the tables with her puppet. I love how she brought me so much joy even though we didn't speak the same language.

# data[].attributes.body
I had such a great time at Maryland Elementary—the kids and the teacher were absolutely wonderful! There were so many memorable moments, but one definitely stands out above the rest. I was working one-on-one with a student who is known to struggle with reading and staying focused. We were sitting at a back table, working through short articles on i-Ready and answering quizzes afterward. The teacher had only expected us to get through one article, but after completing the first, I was able to figure out what strategies worked best for him and how to assist him in just the right ways. That connection sparked something in him—he actually got excited about reading.

Instead of joining the rest of the class in a fun activity they were about to start, he asked if he could keep working with me. We continued reading together, and the teacher was genuinely shocked by his newfound enthusiasm. That moment really showed me how special this experience was. It’s something that will stick with me for a long time and has made me even more excited to become a teacher.

Overall, I learned so much from my time at Maryland Elementary. The experience truly confirmed for me that I’ve chosen the right career path.

# data[].attributes.body
I had a really good time at Maryland elementary. Mrs. Johnson my mentor during the duration of this time was AMAZING. She definitely knew what she was doing and also provided me so much insight on how to go about teacher. She even gave me the same worksheet she uses. I gained so much of a connection witht he kids and can tell slowly but surely they started to get more and more comfortable with me being there and asking for help. I learned a lot on how to effectively run a classroom, different attention grabbers, and even just how to create a safe space for kids. I will take what Mrs. Johnson has taught me throughout my future career.

# data[].attributes.body
I had a lot of great experiences at Maryland Elementary. Many of the kids in the class were EL and I tried my best to help them with some readings. There was a girl in the class that knew very little English and I often was partners with her to help push her reading, learning, and understanding of English. I don't know much Spanish but I tired my best to talk with her and I could see how much she appreciated it. I also lifted her up every time she was able to figure out a word or was able to make connections in English. This stood out to me because it helped show me how much a change a teacher can make in a students learning and education experience by putting in the effort and providing for your students.

# data[].attributes.body
During my time at Maryland Elementary, I had the chance to work in Ms. Nicole Curley’s class for all three of my visits, and I’m really thankful for that. I want to say thank you to her for always  being so kind and welcoming. I truly enjoyed being in her classroom, whether it was watching how she taught and supported her English language learners, helping students with their math activities, or reading in small groups of 3-5. I learned so much just by seeing how patient and helpful she was with every student. She created such a positive and calm environment, and it really stuck with me.

# data[].attributes.headline
Instructions: Add Your Name and a Photo (of you or from your time at Maryland)

# data[].attributes.subject
Instructions: Add Your Name and a Photo (of you or from your time at Maryland)

# data[].attributes.body
Write about a special memory from your time at Maryland. It could be a moment you had with a student, a class activity you saw or helped with, a conversation you had with a teacher, student, family member, or other staff member. It could be something you saw that was really impressive or cool. Explain that special moment and why it mattered to you and/or what you learned. Express your gratitude for something or someone specific at Maryland. The more concrete & specific, the better! Include a connection to something from our class. This Padlet will be shared with Maryland, so make sure to proofread.