I'm going back to school!

[fireheart]

OK, yes I'm already at uni. So why am I going back to school?

Answer: I'm going to become a LAP Volunteer.

LAP volunteers basically do one-on-one tutoring with a child who has issues with reading, writing, self-esteem and so forth. The idea is to improve their self-esteem and confidence. They're always done through a school, so the child spends a 45-minute session out of the classroom with their volunteer. It might be reading books, playing various board games, writing up a story or a speech to read to the class and so forth. (I actually had one in primary school-I did a speech about dogs )

I'm doing this one based on my change of career choice. After I was properly diagnosed with dysthymia, I reflected on my potential careers from my BA. While my areas of study are somewhat useful in life (as opposed to say...women's studies), I've decided that for my health and based on the skills/personality traits I already DO have, I'm going to work towards becoming a primary school teacher. (Primary school level in my state is Reception-Year 7, so students aged 5-12/13. Some universities offer middle school (6-10) and secondary (8-12) degrees.)

in my state (remember I live in Australia), as far as I know, school placements are usually covered by the university and the student is required to be actually studying an education degree. As I won't be until the start of 2012, I decided to get some more experience under my belt before I start.

[Magpie]

I don't know how it works for teacher's college over there, but I know that here, one thing they look at is what specific experience you have with the age group you are applying to get your certification for. So this is a very useful thing you're doing, as well as being good for you in general.

[Mishi]

Sounds like fun! I wish I'd had a LAP volunteer when I was in primary school. I was clever enough to use the anti-discrimination rules/laws during upper primary and highschool to wiggle out of the oral presentations that I was too shy to do. I still can't speak to large groups without blushing.

[ottid]

This is great, and an awesome opportunity to get ahead of the game, so to speak. A lot of the student teachers in my year already have teaching experience, and I feel a little left behind.

Good luck with it all, so far I've found teaching a very rewarding experience.

[dalesys]

Hopefully you won't have the experience my daughter had student teaching...

She went to the school and recognized the principal...

As the principal she'd bit in 2nd grade.

[Plaidman]

Hey uh, Fireheart, if you ever want someone to practice with, I'll be willing to help.


I may be more postive now, but sometimes I need help with selfesteem.

[Seshat]

Everyone I know needs help with self-esteem sometimes!

[fireheart]

Thanks everyone for the support! I'll know more tomorrow about what I'll be doing exactly.
The idea I sort of have in the first session is more of a getting-to-know-you type thing and then going from there-finding out what they have difficulty with, best way they learn etc.

Just to clarify, the school's context statement (basically a statement they provide to the government each year but they are available to the public) defines the LAP program as "students who are needing extra help in learning areas or social development."

Learning Assistance Program (LAP)

Parent participation in schools is a very valuable component in education. L.A.P. is a network of committed parents (and others) supporting students’ development on a one-to-one basis. L.A.P. volunteers work with a targeted student (identified by the classroom teacher) for a short time each week on academic, social or behavioural tasks. Activities are designed to build the students’ self-confidence, develop their interests and talents and to support their academic progress. Each activity is based on clear learning goals.

A special focus is placed on developing lasting positive relationships between the student and volunteer. Involvement in LAP can be personally satisfying and very enriching for both student and volunteer. The program is co-ordinated by a teacher and a supporting parent.

That's from another school in the area. They run the same program, but because I'm not Catholic and I have no clear links to the school, it was easier for me to try my old primary school.

[fireheart]

Bumping up for an update.

So I got all the forms sent to me yesterday to fill out and to speed up the process. red tape time!

Aside from the form for the school, I also have to do a police check (which the school pays for) and I have to do a mandatory notification course at some point in time, which I may have to do separately from the other LAP volunteers since tomorrow is the last day for me to have registered with the school.

The only issue with the police check is my birth certificate. I managed to locate it (yay!) but there's no ink in the photocopier....>.< (I have to show 2 forms of ID-either a birth certificate or passport since I'm an Australian citizen by birth PLUS either my uni ID, driver's licence, proof of age card or some other card I forget)

And the good thing about the program as well is that whie I'm doing it in consultation with the class teacher, the learning can be tailored to suit the student's needs. So if the student likes cats, then we'll do some stuff relating to cats. It's all very hands on and I do stuff like listening to them read, or reading to them, writing down stuff, mathematics stuff, art and craft activities, maybe even some music or language and if the student is gifted, I might do some lateral thinking puzzles with them. (stuff like "A man dies and goes to heaven. Upon arrival he sees two people and immediately recognizes them as adam and eve. How? Answer: No bellybuttons)