https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7 What was your most powerful personal experience in a learning community – regardless of whether that experience took place inside or outside of school? en-us 2021-04-26 22:06:31 UTC 2021-05-05 05:05:19 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1464840849 All throughout high school I was on the varsity field hockey team. At first I had the best coach for my first three seasons; she cared so much about all of my teammates and I and she always had our backs inside and outside of school. However, my last season playing the sport as a senior, we needed to get a new coach. He was very different from my original coach; very tough and had a strong personality. In the beginning he wouldn’t play me as much as Mrs. Huggins did in the past; I wasn’t used to that. I always put so much pressure on myself whenever he put me on the field and wouldn’t play my best. This is because he was a strong/strict coach, and that scared me! Playing with Mrs. Huggins, I definitely had more confidence when I played  because she always told us to try our best even if we failed. After having a hard time at first with my new coach, I decided to ask Mrs. Huggins why I was’t getting as much playing time, and she told me to "not give up and to keep pushing myself". She told me that I needed to show him what player I really was...those words changed my entire attitude. The next day at practice I made sure he noticed me. After talking to Mrs.Huggins, at the end of my last season as a senior, playing field hockey changed for the better. He started to play me more and I gained all of my confidence back in playing! This situation has taught me to never give up and to keep trying. Everyone needs that little push to get you back on their feet to feel better about themselves. ]]> 2021-04-27 15:19:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1464840849 https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1465972502 I have taken art classes basically every year in school from Kindergarten through the end of High School; which ranged from pottery/ceramics, painting, drawing, collage making, and other forms of art using various materials and methods. I have always enjoyed art and I have found it as a good way to express myself and to relax. In high school, my art teacher (Mrs.Burger), did not always let us do what we wanted (in terms of art methods and materials). At the time, I thought it was really annoying because all I wanted to do was paint with acrylic paint or to draw with a pen. However, looking back, it was actually good for me to try new things and to step out of my comfort zone. We experimented with negative space (drawing with an eraser), embroidery, pointillism, self-portraits, abstract art, still art, we explored different types of artists and their art methods/techniques, and so much more. If she didn't push me to try new materials and art techniques, I never would have done it on my own and learned that I liked painting with oil paint and that I enjoyed pointillism. She also pushed me to work farther with my pieces. This basically means that once I was done, she helped me see how to make the piece one step further. This was a big step for me because, with my art, I am very particular and precise with how each thing looks. I always have a mental image of how I want the finished product to end up. Many of my favorite pieces now are pieces that she pushed me to work more on and to add different techniques and or materials to it. I am very glad that she helped me open my mind more to the different possibilities and to be more "flowy" and less strict with my art. This helped me learn the life lesson of "not everything has to be perfect and life doesn't necessarily work that way. Life is messy and there are bumps in the road, but the finished product is totally worth it in the end." I have also gained new perspectives and have learned how to "go with the flow".]]> 2021-04-27 18:50:40 UTC https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1465972502 https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1471435142 I have been involved in musical theatre since the age of nine and have performed in a multitude of shows including Seussical, In the Heights, Sister Act, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. After participating in school musicals each year, I planned to audition for the show Me and My Girl when it was selected by my high school musical theatre department in my senior year. For the most part, I was familiar with the plot, songs, and characters of all of the musicals for which I auditioned, but I was presented with a show that I knew nothing about. After researching, I discovered that the characters spoke in a Cockney or British-slang accent, which I never heard before. And additionally, the leading female (the role that I hoped to earn) was required to perform in a tap dance duet. This frightened me because I was not very comfortable as a dancer on stage because my experience was with singing and acting. I even questioned if this would be an appropriate role for me and daunted my ability. After speaking to the director of the musical, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and strive for the lead role.  I constantly rehearsed the tap dance number and practiced the Cockney accent. Since this would be my last musical in high school, I wanted to be sure that I did not have any regrets. After the two-week audition process, I was ecstatic to see that I was offered the lead role! Although I was thrilled with this opportunity, I felt overwhelmed and nervous. I not only was required to memorize a full script of lines in a Cockney accent, but I had to perfect my songs and dances, and become acclimated to the constant and quick costume changes. This was in the midst of other responsibilities including succeeding in school academics and maintaining my role as president of my high school drama club. Throughout this process, I often second-guessed my ability, but did not want to disappoint my directors and cast. Despite this, on opening night after a very successful performance, I realized that all of my efforts paid off! This specific experience not only allowed me to become a better, more skillful performer, but also taught me to always have faith in myself and never underestimate my abilities and skills. I never felt prouder or more accomplished than when I took my final bow as the lead role in that show. There is no doubt that you will inevitably have challenges and hardships, but with hard work, determination, and by believing in yourself, the end result will certainly be rewarding.]]> 2021-04-28 23:42:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1471435142 https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1473875778 I played softball throughout middle school and most of high school. Since I had been playing for years I was used to playing in each game, but my freshman year I ended up getting hurt and was not able to play for the majority of the season. I still attended games and some practices, it was difficult for me to sit and watch all of my teammates playing while I was on the bench. Once I was cleared to play again, my coach had created a different lineup and who was starting, so I didn’t play as much as I had hoped. I think this experience really made me appreciate being a part of the team, but it also pushed me to work harder to become a better player in hope of getting more playing time. My coach was able to see that I was determined to improve my skills while also being a good team player. Throughout my time on the team, I learned that it is important to stay motivated and never give up. I also learned that it is ok to not start in every single game, but it is better to do what is best for the team. Being a part of this team allowed me to make so many friends that are still some of my best friends now. I think being part of a team as a kid is very important to an individuals development. I was able to learn how to work well with others which has helped me throughout my education other inside and outside of the classroom. 

]]> 2021-04-29 14:06:48 UTC https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1473875778 vrgiustiniani https://padlet.com/ponybirdmusic/yzx64c122hws0lg7/wish/1492394662

I was apart of the Friendship club throughout all of my years of high school. Each year was different from the next, as I met more and more students. No matter what I was going through, whether it was in or out of school, these students truly made life not so complicated. I was blessed to be able to spend as much time learning from these students, and being able to become an influence on their life, as much as they were on mine. It wasn't until my junior year, where I met Brianna. Brianna is a 22 year old amazing girl who has Down syndrome. Brianna is the most caring and special person I have ever met. She truly proved to me what life is all about. Brianna conquers each and every challenge with a smile on her face. My whole life has changed because of her. I hope to be able to help students with special needs and bring out the inner strength each student has. 

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