Day 2 at Overbrook

Today we went into the school for the first time. Yesterday we talked a lot about the school so I’m glad we got a chance to see it first hand. As expected, in the hallways a lot of the students roamed the halls and did not show a lot of respect for each other or authorities. The school is so disorganized, but there is a lot in the equation that makes it the way it is. We are not here to save the day but just to experience it first hand. Since it was our first day we didn’t get a chance to be in the classrooms, but we participated in the after school program. Normally there are up to 75 students but because of the snow today there were only about 20. We are proposing a project that we will work on for the next few days with the students. We will facilitate the project but the ideas are meant to be student produced. On the surface a lot of the students don’t care or they mess around with each other but when you talk to them individually they have so much potential. I think in general being in groups it is easier to take on a different identity, but if you challenge the students individually they care about a lot of things. One of the directors from the after school program says a lot of them are misled. I think that statement is beyond true. A lot of people say kids or students like this are doomed or they are messed up but if you look at where they come from then a lot of them are doing really well. Genuine connections and meeting them where they are is so important in getting to the students and breaking the cycle of the current education situation. Looking forward to the rest of the week I am so excited to get to know the students and experiencing everything first hand since it is something I’m considering pursuing as a career. I am so thankful to be around a group of people who care about this passionately and I’m excited to see where the rest of the week goes.

-Collin