My name is Dhaathri Vijay; I volunteered with SEWA at Schillings Elementary and Coyote Hills Elementary and, overall, it was an extremely enjoyable and fulfilling experience!

I first helped teach 2nd through 5th grade at Schillings Elementary, and assisted with the art class. It was very cute to see how excited the students got at each art project, and they were all genuinely excited to create something and use new materials. I often migrated from table to table, watching the kids to make sure they were following directions and being there to help if it was needed. It was rewarding to interact with the children and share their excitement when they finished their project. It was inspiring to see how focused and attentive the students became while learning or when they were interested in what was being said. At both schools, the kids were super bright and friendly, which made teaching and guiding them an amazing experience!

The other volunteers also made volunteering at SEWA very fun. I became good friends with the other helpers, and we bonded over our experiences teaching the children and the fun we had while doing it. I always looked forward to not only teaching the students, but also seeing the friends I had made through volunteering! During our breaks, we would always laugh and talk together, which created a comfortable atmosphere that made our volunteering experience even better. We often discussed the classes we had taught or brainstormed new ideas for activities with the students.

Though my experience was overwhelmingly positive, I was challenged when making the shift from helper to teacher. I taught the art class; even if it was only for one week, I learned a lot through this experience, especially about responsibility, communication, patience, and—most importantly—fun! I spent a lot of time thinking about what projects I should teach the children, taking into account the available materials, the grade I was teaching, as well as how enjoyable the craft itself was. This process demonstrated to me the importance of planning and adaptability in teaching as each child worked at their own pace and had their own unique approach to the projects. This required me to be flexible in my teaching style and find different ways to engage and assist each student. Additionally, I realized the value of clear communication, as providing simple and effective instructions was crucial to ensure that the students understood and enjoyed the activities. I struggled a bit when it came to catching the students’ attention. Often, I would have to call for their attention two to three times before they listened, or their actual school teacher would have to step in on my behalf. This frustration was always overshadowed by the excitement and enthusiasm the kids exuded when I would unveil the project I prepared, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to meet and teach these kids.

Volunteering at SEWA was an extremely fulfilling experience—one that taught me about teamwork, leadership, and community.