Service Site:San Francisco at De Marillac Academy
Theresa works with one of her students individually.
University: Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN
What do you do?
Although my name tag says that I’m a 6th and 7th grade Social Studies teacher, I do so much more than that. I teach a variety of classes, I’m a TA for Language Arts, I lead breaks, I teach different club activities, substitute for other teachers when they are gone, and whatever other duties are needed in the school.
What is the most important “thing,” do you think, that your students need from you? What do you do to try to provide this?
I think that my students need to be listened to, to be understood, and to be treated like young adults. At the end of the day, my students aren’t going to remember that my lesson failed, or that I couldn’t get the technology in the classroom to work right. What they are going to remember is that I listened to them, I asked them real questions, and I showed them to respect and the love that any Lasallian teacher should.
Social Studies class at De Marillac Academy.
Have you noticed any signs of success in your work? What are they?
My students feel comfortable taking risks in the classroom. Whether it’s in classroom presentations, the questions they have, or the discussions they want to have, they have taken ownership of the class and are confident enough to take new risks within the safety of the classroom. I couldn’t ask for more success than that.
Which of the core values (Faith, Community, Service) are most important to you? Why?
Service has been the most important aspect of my experience as a Lasallian Volunteer. It is through my service as a teacher at De Marillac that I have been able to expand the definitions of myself as a person and as an educator. It is because of service that I push myself through the most difficult challenges, and constantly find new ways to improve as a teacher and as a mentor.
Why would you recommend the LV program to a college senior considering volunteering?
By being a Lasallian Volunteer, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone and get my butt kicked as a first year teacher. The experience I gained at DeMarillac, as well as through the LV program, is one that has forever impacted the way that I teach, the way that I view others around me, and the way that I carry myself. Why would I recommend the LV program? I think the more important question is: why not?
