The Reality of Teaching as a TYO Intern - Connie, International Intern
Hello! I'm Connie, an international intern at Tomorrow's Youth Organization (TYO), a global leader in child education and youth empowerment in Nablus. This summer, I embarked on a remarkable journey - my first ever summer camp experience with TYO.
The initial English classes with my enthusiastic first-grade students were a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. With the dual challenge of memorizing 30 new names and ensuring they received an enjoyable, educational experience, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but in a good way!
The students quickly got used to me and my British accent, usually mimicking the way that I speak and laughing with me. Every class would start with a very warm welcome and lots of hi-fives from the students. They knew what to expect at the start of my classes - a song and dance! I started all my classes like this so the students could feel the transition from their regular classes into what was now an English class. Class favourites were definitely the hokey cokey and heads, shoulders, knees and toes - we usually repeated these songs due to popular demand!
Throughout the camp, we delved into various topics - numbers, animals, colors, expressing feelings, and more. One of the most memorable experiences was the arts and crafts session, specifically color mixing. The students' awe and laughter when they created new colors were priceless moments, reflecting TYO's commitment to hands-on, experiential learning. During this lesson, I told the students that we should feel relaxed during this class and enjoy the sensation of mixing paints together and seeing what happens. The room was very quiet, which was strange for this class, but I was pleased that they wanted to focus on the task. After a few minutes, I started to hear gasps and laughter around the room once they started mixing the paints, and it was at this point that I realised this was a completely new concept for my students. Everyone was bringing me their worksheets to show me that they had created new colours!
Throughout the summer camp at Tomorrow's Youth Organization (TYO), I had countless valuable conversations with Fawz, the students' primary teacher. We deeply analyzed the lack of consistent and quality education these children had been subject to, especially when it came to English classes. Discussing their individual and collective needs, we acknowledged the barriers these bright young minds were grappling with.
In response, we teamed up to design English lessons that bridged these gaps in their education, lessons that were engaging and effective, embodying the educational philosophy at the heart of TYO. We focused on creating a learning environment that was fun, natural, and retained their interest - a testament to TYO's innovative teaching methodologies.
As the summer progressed, the transformation in my first graders was tangible. They began answering in English, their confidence blooming as they found new ways to express themselves in a second language. Witnessing this growth in my students was an incredibly rewarding experience, further validating TYO's approach to interactive and enjoyable learning.
When I started my journey at TYO at the onset of summer, I was filled with anxiety. I was concerned about living up to the responsibility of providing the education these children rightfully deserved. Fast forward to now, I cannot envision my days without the enthusiastic greetings and infectious smiles of my first graders. The bond I've formed with them has not only enriched my personal journey in child education but has also instilled in me a newfound confidence in my teaching abilities.
As I prepare for the next summer camp, I will fondly remember this class. They welcomed me into the TYO family, trusted me to be their guide in the learning journey, and gave me the confidence to teach and believe in my capabilities. This unforgettable summer camp at TYO, filled with the love, learning, and laughter of my lively 6-year-old students, has truly been an inspiring experience.