Around this time of year, there are a lot of what people call “new year’s resolutions”. These can range from swearing to stop a bad habit, to stopping a bad swearing habit. Regardless of what one chooses as their resolution, there’s an inherent flaw with thinking about progress in this way; There’s a key difference between talking about improving and actually improving. One can claim as January rolls around that they plan on losing a certain amount of weight this year, or that they plan on doing so many hours of community service. For many, there will be that initial start where minimal progress is made in the beginning, and the eventually, one gives in and returns to their past lifestyle. A new year’s resolution may sound convincing, but without the constant hard work on a weekly basis, the good intentions don’t become a reality.
As Jumpstart Corps Members, we have built a wonderful foundation for ourselves and our children. We have made connections with the children, exposed them to a vast new vocabulary, and enforced skills that will help them continue to succeed throughout the rest of their lives. These kids are amazing too; They want to learn and explore and improve. They enjoy doing learning based activities and socializing with language and understanding. But now is not the time to take the foot off the gas pedal. In fact, now would be the perfect time to push harder than ever. As a Team Leader, I know that if I hold myself to a higher standard, then I will work harder to accomplish bigger, bolder goals. I know that if I put in the work week by week by making better materials, having more preparation, and presenting the skills and domains of the Jumpstart sessions, I can take my progress to the next level. And the most rewarding part is, when I put more work in, I am making that much more of a difference in our children’s lives.
I can’t wait to take it to the next level in the upcoming semester. It’s not enough for me to know what I have to do. I have to follow through and do the work. Jumpstart doesn’t just help these kids progress and learn, it helps all of us progress and learn. We as Jumpstart corps members grow with these children and build on skills. We learn patience, teaching strategies, discipline, and work ethic. Open yourself to these skills and you will accomplish more, feel better about your progress, and overall continue to set new higher goals for yourself. In the end, isn’t that what we are really hoping our children will do? We are not only teachers but role models. Our work ethic and enthusiasm about learning and growing can be an example for the kids whose lives we affect every week for the better. We’ve done a great job of building the foundation and doing what we needed to set ourselves up for success; We just need to continue to work and not let up.
So what will it be? Are we the one that makes the resolution and then gives up after we hit the wall or are we the one that takes down barriers and continues to progress every day. I know we are the latter, because Jumpstart Corps members truly care about their work and want to help these children become engaged and committed. We are moving forward, and Jumpstart at AU is expanding, growing, and improving. Our potential is great and our determination is admirable. We have all the tools to continue to excel and improve every single session. If we work this hard and use our passion to have fun with learning, there’s no doubt we will be at a whole new level of progress.
~Shawn Bush
Team Leader
Team Learning 2
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