I chose to include my statement of 100 hours of volunteer work which was part of the Bachelor of Education program acceptance requirement. I made a few adjustments from when I submitted this to the admissions office as I completed more hours choosing to complete the school year at Pacific Way Elementary. Volunteering at this school provided me with various opportunities to learn and practice basic teaching processes. I was able to provide help for students who required assistance in reading, Mathematics, English Language Art and much more. I helped students with a variety of IEP’s, and now reflecting back on my volunteer experience, what I had learned was an excellent stepping stone to my teaching practice.

Statement of 230 Hours Experience at Pacific Way Elementary School, Kamloops, BC.

Classroom Experience and Breakdown of Hours

Grade 2/3 (Ages 7/8) Class Taught by Bev Sherwood  
Class Size: 21
Start Date – End Date: October 15, 2018 – (approx.) June 27, 2019
Weekly Schedule for 2018: Monday 1:15pm – 2:30pm & Thursday 9:45am – 10:20am
Weekly Schedule for 2019: Wednesday 1:15pm – 2:30pm
Hours (approx.): 18 hours as of February 6, 2019

  • One-on-one reading and the use of flash cards to help students with their vocabulary
  • Group work with children during math to help teach and assist with their understanding
  • Assisted with science experiments and observed how the class reacted to their tasks and gave extra help to the children that required it

Grade 2/3 (Ages 7/8) Class Taught by Samantha McLaren
Class Size: 20
Start Date – End Date: October 9, 2018 – (approx.) June 27, 2019
Weekly Schedule for 2018: Tuesday 1:15pm – 2:30pm
Weekly Schedule for 2019: Tuesday 1:15pm – 2:30pm
Hours (approx.): 16 hours as of February 5, 2019

  • Weekly one-on-one reading with a specific child and the use of flash cards to help the student learn words
  • Sat with children that needed help with copying work off the board and used a mini white board to write the words down for them to copy
  • Helped groups of students to catch up on missed assignments such as math, spelling and science and assisted with science experiments

Grade 6/7 (Ages 11/12) Class Taught by Cynthia Morrow
Class Size: 25
Start Date – End Date: October 4, 2018 – (approx.) June 27, 2019
Weekly Schedule for 2018: Tuesdays 8:30am – 10:20am, Thursdays 10:35am – 2:30pm &
Fridays 8:30am – 10:20am
Weekly Schedule for 2019: Thursdays 11:15am – 2:30pm
Hours (approx.): 85 hours as of February 7, 2019

  • Helped students in PE with low confidence to make them feel more included and take part in activities to assist children to perform to their full potential
  • Assisted students that have IEP’s (Individual Educational Plans) during tests, class assignments and PE
  • Assisted students during social studies, projects and their written assignments
  • Helped students with art if they didn’t understand the criteria
  • Scribing for students unable to write on their own
  • Stayed in at lunch and recess to provide extra support on missing assignments and help children with course material they did not understand during class

 Total Hours (approx.): 230 hours as of June 27th, 2019

During my volunteering experience, I have had many rewarding moments and have learned a great deal about teaching and myself. The ability to adapt to children’s unique and individual personalities gave me experience with IEP’s and how to help children with a variety of learning disabilities.  The one-on-one support I provided these children with, I was able to observe progress on a multitude of levels.  Due to the progress, I have made a commitment to the teachers to continue to volunteer until the school year is complete.  This will allow the children who required my help to continue down a path of success.  I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to work along-side with the teachers at Pacific Way Elementary, who share my passion for teaching our youth.