Thursday, May 13, 2010
Final Day
Tuesday was the final day at Esquela and I was a little sad about leaving. I had a great time volunteering with these kids this semester. I helped Margarite with paper mache. It got a little messy but overall it was fun to get a little dirty. I took some more pictures just for fun and to remember the kids by. I will post some of them along with my new entry. After I helped with the arts and crafts I went to the gym to run around and get some exercise. I played some one on 4 basketball for a while, but we didn't keep track of the score. Boy to those kids have a lot of energy!
I would love to continue volunteering with these kids in the fall. I have also been recommending this school to some of my friends because of the positive experience I had. Thanks ESQUELA VIEAU!
I would love to continue volunteering with these kids in the fall. I have also been recommending this school to some of my friends because of the positive experience I had. Thanks ESQUELA VIEAU!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Artist Statement: "The Larger Family"
When deciding what topic I should pick for the final analysis of my semester of service I made a review of what affected me the most. I came to the conclusion that what I was really impressed by was the amazing dedication and patience of the staff to the program, as well as to each individual child. In this essay I hope to convey the dedication that this staff has, not only for its school but also for the community overall.
One of the most challenging afternoons that I had at Esquela Vieau was when I was told to go down to the Student learning center to help out 2-3 kids with their homework. Upon arriving I noticed a group of 10 2nd graders, some were walking and some running in my direction. At this point I saw one of the teachers making the sign of the cross and then wished me luck. Needless to say I had a hoot of a time keeping the children in their seats and concentrating on their homework. By the end of the hour I had accomplished very little beyond loosing my voice and pulling out some hair. The experience gave me a whole new perspective on the difficulties of teaching children of that age. I mostly worked alongside Margarite, who is the picture of gentle patience. While she is a very gentle woman, she still has a stern voice and a great ability to keep the kids on task. Margarite has a difficult time speaking English, but she has no problem keeping the kids in line and on task. In my interview with Margarite, she told me that she got involved with helping at the school after she had taken night classes to learn English. Now two of her children go there. This is a perfect example of how Esquela Vieau is one big family. The community gets a lot out of Vieau in the form of English classes like ESL, parenting and marriage counseling, free clinics as well as a personal support system. I interviewed Yesenia Montenegro, who described her role at the school as a Mother as well as a teacher. She described the “warm fuzzies” she got from knowing that the school is not only helping the students but their parents as well.
While archiving for this project, I wanted to show how Margarite’s gentle smile and caring demeanor allows her to connect with the children. Her smile also reveals her true passion for the work that she does. This is part of the reason why I chose to focus of the staff for this project. These teachers and helpers are not paid very well yet they come to work knowing that they are making a great deal of difference in the lives of these children and the lives of future generations. They do all this without any thanks and little compensation. In a day when CEO’s get bonuses for unethical practices, our society needs to put more emphasis on the importance of teachers and volunteers.
One of the most challenging afternoons that I had at Esquela Vieau was when I was told to go down to the Student learning center to help out 2-3 kids with their homework. Upon arriving I noticed a group of 10 2nd graders, some were walking and some running in my direction. At this point I saw one of the teachers making the sign of the cross and then wished me luck. Needless to say I had a hoot of a time keeping the children in their seats and concentrating on their homework. By the end of the hour I had accomplished very little beyond loosing my voice and pulling out some hair. The experience gave me a whole new perspective on the difficulties of teaching children of that age. I mostly worked alongside Margarite, who is the picture of gentle patience. While she is a very gentle woman, she still has a stern voice and a great ability to keep the kids on task. Margarite has a difficult time speaking English, but she has no problem keeping the kids in line and on task. In my interview with Margarite, she told me that she got involved with helping at the school after she had taken night classes to learn English. Now two of her children go there. This is a perfect example of how Esquela Vieau is one big family. The community gets a lot out of Vieau in the form of English classes like ESL, parenting and marriage counseling, free clinics as well as a personal support system. I interviewed Yesenia Montenegro, who described her role at the school as a Mother as well as a teacher. She described the “warm fuzzies” she got from knowing that the school is not only helping the students but their parents as well.
While archiving for this project, I wanted to show how Margarite’s gentle smile and caring demeanor allows her to connect with the children. Her smile also reveals her true passion for the work that she does. This is part of the reason why I chose to focus of the staff for this project. These teachers and helpers are not paid very well yet they come to work knowing that they are making a great deal of difference in the lives of these children and the lives of future generations. They do all this without any thanks and little compensation. In a day when CEO’s get bonuses for unethical practices, our society needs to put more emphasis on the importance of teachers and volunteers.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Artist Statement
Esquela Vieau has been such a positive experience for me and I feel that I have gotten a positive response from the kids and faculty as well. In high school I worked at a similar school on 35th street in a primarily Latino neighborhood. This was also a very positive experience. Yet there seems to be something different about this school. The extent of after-school activities and the dedication of all the faculty and volunteers is to another extent here. There is something very inspiring about a group of people who do not get paid very well yet are extremely content with giving back to the community in order to reinforce a positive atmosphere for the children and community overall. I admire them greatly.
In putting together this essay I wanted to show some of the joy that I brought to the kids and the even greater joy that they brought me. My favorite picture is of the children cheerfully doing their homework as a shaft of sunlight drapes over one of the smiling girls. This shot really summed up the warmth and joy that I felt at Esquela Vieau. I also wanted to show a sense of communal effort and sharing of one's time and knowledge. This is something that I learned about this wonderful community. All the faculty, volunteers, and even parents are part of a dedicated network of people who have invested their time and energy (which can be trying at times) to an often times thankless effort. I wanted to show how this effort had rubbed off on the children who can be seen helping one another out. There was also a large group of older kids (3rd and 4th graders) who stayed after school to help out the younger pre-preschoolers make their Easter baskets. They were not asked to do this, but they knew that the teachers needed help. They were obliged to help out some of their fellow members of the community. These are the kinds of good deeds and dedication that makes this community a vital force in Milwaukee.
Friday, February 26, 2010
La Esquela
The orientation at Esquela Vieau was a very positive experience for me. I can't wait to get started with what seems to be a great volunteer program. I got nothing but smiles from all the children and faculty members of the school. The orientation was to the point and got me really excited to begin working with everyone. As I am an Art major I intend on focusing on the arts and crafts aspect of the schedule. I don't remember the name of the woman in charge of the arts and crafts class but she seemed very friendly and I hope and can work with her. The kids are making a gratitude quilt right now in which they create one square that represents one thing they are grateful for. This is a great idea and I hope that I can work on it with them.
I have volunteered in a similar school on 35th street in which the vast majority of the children spoke Spanish as a first language and many of them spoke English very well. I always admired these children for their ability to speak two languages at such a young age. My mother is from Belgium and she spoke French to me as much as possible as I grew up. I think that this is a very good thing for a child because it helps them to realize the vast cultural diversity of the world at a young age.
As I said before I volunteered at a similar school when I was 18. That was an excellent experience for me. I got so much out of giving back to the community and everyone was very grateful for the help. I have always wanted to go back to that school, but haven't seemed to find the time. This is a great opportunity for me, and once it is over I plan on continuing to volunteer. I expect it to be just as gratifying of an experience at Esquela Vieau as it was at the 35th st. school.
I have volunteered in a similar school on 35th street in which the vast majority of the children spoke Spanish as a first language and many of them spoke English very well. I always admired these children for their ability to speak two languages at such a young age. My mother is from Belgium and she spoke French to me as much as possible as I grew up. I think that this is a very good thing for a child because it helps them to realize the vast cultural diversity of the world at a young age.
As I said before I volunteered at a similar school when I was 18. That was an excellent experience for me. I got so much out of giving back to the community and everyone was very grateful for the help. I have always wanted to go back to that school, but haven't seemed to find the time. This is a great opportunity for me, and once it is over I plan on continuing to volunteer. I expect it to be just as gratifying of an experience at Esquela Vieau as it was at the 35th st. school.
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