Anna Holt, 13-14, De La Salle Blessed Sacrament, Memphis, TN
I have come to find out that one thing October is known for is National Book Month. I see it quite fitting as I am serving as a librarian at De La Salle Elementary Blessed Sacrament. Serving as the librarian is one of my many jobs I carry out here in Memphis, TN as a Lasallian Volunteer. In addition to the task of managing the Upper Library, I am the K-8 grade art teacher, 3rd and 4th grade computer teacher, and an after school care assistant.
One of the most challenging parts of being a librarian has been “finding a good book” for the students. Many of the students pick a book based on its cover or its title. Because it is important for the students to enjoy reading, I often take time with them to find a book both at their reading level and to their interest. As I slowly learn what books this 3rd – 8th grade library does have, I am able to make better suggestions for the students. Unfortunately, there are a few students who waste their 5-7 minutes in the library and must leave empty-handed. On the other hand, I am impressed by the vivacious readers here. There are a few students who are certainly bookworms. I hope to some day catch up to the speed of reading that those few students have. I aspire to “find a good book” for myself.
The realm of teaching has been a learning opportunity for me. I know art terms, art projects, and historical figures in art, but this knowledge did not fully prepare me to manage and instruct nine different grades about the joy that I experience as an artist. One of my hopes for this year of service is to spark some inspiration for the love of art in the minds and hands of these students. I am truly blessed to have many resource books being offered to me to help me begin to ignite the fire. I pray that the few projects we have completed thus far have become a good foundation for the rest of the year.
I am finding faith is one of the more important aspects among the three Lasallian Volunteer core values of faith, service, and community. On the first day of school I was overflowing with joy to learn that the teachers share in prayer in a circle in front of the students before every single day. I know that these prayers help to center and focus me for the day. I am always refreshed after community prayer has been said too. The beauty of reflection during prayer is great. There are many flustering days in which I am simply thankful to have a community who prays together.
While my Lasallian Volunteer story has just begun, I look forward with hope to the next months of teaching, inspiring, and reading. May this chapter of my life continue to be one of the exciting ones!
St. John Baptist de La Salle, Pray for Us!
Live Jesus in Our Hearts, Forever!
Anna Holt, 13-14, De La Salle Elementary Blessed Sacrament in Memphis, TN.