Jonathan Ocampo
Service Blog #2
09/24/17
Intentions and Hopes on Tunbridge
As I entered the CCSJ common space
for the Tunbridge Charter School service learning information session, I was
welcomed by the sweetest greeting from Ms. Manal Arma. After Manal brifly
introduced herself, she began to ask us how service has impacted our lives. She
separated us into small groups where we could discuss our service background and
attempt to connect with other students who had similar experiences. The
information session highlighted what the purpose of the program was, and what
exactly we would be doing. I was very elated to discover that we would be
interacting with the students directly because I have experience serving at
schools, and communicating with children of all ages. By going to the
information session, my hopes and intentions only grew because I love getting involved
in a close-knit community.
As I began to read “The Birthmark”,
by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the theme of striving for perfection quickly stood out
to me. When Alymer asks, “has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your
cheek might be removed?", he basically indicates that the birthmark on her
cheek is the only flaw she can claim. This desire for perfection not only kills
Georgiana in the end, but also makes Alymer fixate on making the perfect woman
instead of seeing the good in his wife. Desire for perfection is evident in everyone’s
lives, whether it involves school, sports, or love. During the Tunbrige
information session, I asked myself, “What will happen if the students do not
like me?”. The answer to this question highlights this major theme because I
should go into service with a positive attitude and be myself instead of
attempting to be the perfect teacher that the young students look up to. Perfection
is not worth pursuing because you will overthink the experience and will not
understand the true meaning behind your actions.
In “The Yellow Wallpaper”, written
by Charlotte Gilman the major theme of the importance of self-expression boldly
stands out. As the narrator is stuck in a marriage, she realizes she must hide
her fears and anxieties in order to protect what she believes is a healthy
relationship. The narrator ultimately turns to keeping a secret journal where
she can express herself. This connects with my intentions towards service
because the best action you can show the children is how positive and happy you
are to be there. If you show the students that you are excited about being at
school they will start to see that school is not only important, but fun. Self-expression
is crucial when interacting with children because, as role models, college students
must show the students of Tunbridge how working hard and learning can open up a
plethora of opportunities for their future.
In the last poem, “I Wandered Lonely
as a Cloud”, William Wordsworth begins to describe the unity between man and
nature. The theme of nature has been reoccurring throughout different poems
represented in class. This poem obtains vivid descriptions of nature such as “waves
besdie them dancing” and “fluttering and dancing in the breeze”. This quality
of this poem that I especially love is how Wordsworth provides evidence on how
nature influences human emotion. He can describe a plain yellow daffodil in the
most beautiful form by stating that they flutter and dance. Giving nature human
qualities shows the readers how versatile of an artist Wordsworth and how he
can connect human emotions to all sorts of nature from clouds to waves.
My hopes and aspirations towards Tunbridge have
been influenced by Manal and the CCSJ community. The program is very involved
with their work, and want every student that participates to take something out
of doing it. I am most excited about meeting the students at Tunbridge and meet
new students who are participating in service. I hope to learn a lot from
participating in service because I am starting to grow up and make my own
decisions, and I hope that serving those in need follows me wherever I go in
life.
No comments:
Post a Comment