Graduate / Freedom School Intern Application (the area of youth leadership development) [3]

Please describe any work you have done in the area of youth leadership development.
While participating in Big Brother Big Sister of Alabama I ensured that the students assigned to me weren't just enriching academically, I also provided beneficial life skills that are needed in order to make good decisions and become future leaders. I did this by talking to them individually, mapping out their future goals and making sure they understood what it means to become successful in life.

What knowledge have you gained from your experiences in serving your school, church or community?
Community service puts me out of myself and allows me to see a different part of myself. I am able to humble myself through community service and gain a greater appreciation of the great lives that so many of us lead and deem to be "normal". I take pride in knowing that I am helping affect someone's life.

Why do you want to work for the CDF Freedom Schools program?
I can personally attest the benefits received from attending summer enrichment programs as a youth. The mission of CDF is to create safe, nurturing educational environments that set high expectations for children which to me makes CDF unique among other summer enrichment programs. CDF infuses the minds of children by teaching them how to fall in love with reading. Most importantly, being an intern I will improve the life of children while enriching my own life experience.

PLEASE give me feedback! would you accept me off this application?

What special skills or talents will you draw upon and incorporate in your work if selected as a CDF Freedom Schools servant leader intern?
As an educator, I continue to enhance my verbal and written proficiency through teaching and training. I have the attributes of being organized, dependable, patient, and creative in any given setting. In addition to being knowledgeable about the subjects I teach, I have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand the students' educational and emotional needs.

What are your expectations as a result of your participation with a CDF freedom School Site?
I expect to impact freedom school participants academically and emotionally with my commitment to youth empowerment and leadership. Another expectation is to have an everlasting effect on many of the children who attend CDF freedom school. Leaving CDF freedom school with knowledge and tools to affect the lives of children I impact in my community.

Why should you be selected as a CDF Freedom Schools servant leader intern?
I am a focused, smart and responsible individual who has the energy and enthusiasm to encourage and engage children to work hard and take advantage of every educational opportunity available. I am able to work in a team setting and understand the importance of respecting different culture backgrounds.

Are there any factors that will prevent of affect your ability to fully participate in daily program activities?
No
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Writing Feedback / The effectiveness of teachers and classrooms - Urban Prep Fellowship [2]

Write your reflections of the following quote:

"There's evidence of the effectiveness of teachers and classrooms in almost every urban school. In each of those classrooms stands one teacher - an artisan whose attention to technique and execution differentiates her from most of her peers. So no matter what the circumstances you face on the job and no matter what strategic decisions are mandated to you, you can succeed. And this, in turn, means that you MUST succeed."

Urban schools provide many unique challenges to teachers that they would not normally face in an adequately funded and resourced school. Dilapidated school buildings, the lack of proper funding, broken or missing windows, leaky roofs and mold growing in the ceilings are just a few of the obstacles urban teachers and students face. The lack of sufficient resources in these schools sometimes leads to educators instructing from textbooks dated more than ten years ago. Yet, even with all the disadvantages an urban educator faces, they still have the zeal and enthusiasm to press forward and teach!

Educators do not only teach they also nurture. Every teacher will have the opportunity to show compassion to a student and encourage his or her ability to succeed. It is discouraging to learn about teachers who only work from school bell to school bell without thought to their students daily lives and the tools needed for each individual student to It is important for educators, especially urban educators, to demonstrate that their motivation for teaching is to help students succeed in life with whatever tools available to them.

To succeed in the circumstances given in an urban school it is important to first recognize that all students have unbelievable potential and believe that each student is capable of doing great things. If the expectation for students is to perform poorly, then they will. Intelligence is limitless and it is crucial that teachers empower their students as a whole.

The disregard for the education needs of children in urban schools ultimately threatens the economic prosperity of our great nation. All students are intellectually and socially capable of graduating high school and attending a 4-yr college or university. Educators must rise to the challenge and take more responsibility in teaching our children.