Service-Learning

During my first semester of freshman year (Fall 2017), I opted into a Service-Learning section of Connections and Decisions (FSEM 1000 – the introduction course to the Explore Program and Northeastern). I served with Jumpstart, a non-profit organization and AmeriCorps program that provides personal attention and a reading-based curriculum to preschool children (ages 3-5 years old) to ensure that every child enters kindergarten prepared to succeed.

AmeriCorps Member

I served as a AmeriCorps Member with a team of seven others at Cooper Community Center in Roxbury, MA (approximately a 15-minute walk from NU). We would lead classroom sessions three times per week (for a total of 10 hours per week). Jumpstart is a year-long commitment, so I continued on with this service for the Spring 2018 semester. The children very much appreciate the consistency of interacting with the same Jumpstart members, as it helps them get to know them and form a bond.

Team Leader

During my 2nd year (Fall 2018-Spring 2019), I stepped up as a Team Leader at Jumpstart with the same classroom at Cooper Community Center, and I led a team of eight Corps Members. I was very glad to continue working with the same teachers that I had worked with in the previous year, and leading reflections discussions with the Corps Members (I learned a lot from them as well!), all while teaching them the lessons that I learned in my first year at Jumpstart. During the weekly meetings with the other Jumpstart Team Leaders, I was able to learn from their successes and challenges, and share out ideas.