I did not have my community service focus in Walla Walla lined up until a couple days before I arrived. I knew that my friend Marika was the one I should call to help me with this and boy did she take me to task! Marika works at the Walla Walla High School with a program called A.V.I.D. (see below).
AVID Program
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
The mission of AVID is to ensure that all students, especially middle-performing students, will:
• Succeed in the most rigorous curriculum;
• Enter the mainstream activities of the school;
• Increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and
• Become educated, responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society
What is AVID?
AVID is a program designed to help students in the middle prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities. Students in the program commit themselves to improvement and preparation for college. AVID offers a rigorous program of instruction in academic “survival skills” and college level entry skills. The AVID program teaches the student how to study, read for content, take notes, and manage time. Students participate in collaborative study groups or tutorials led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding.
Marika e-mailed a couple teachers to see if they would be interested in having me come speak to their classes about myself and 'The Trip and the Trade'. Before I knew it, I was lined up to speak to sophmore, junior, and senior classes. I prepared a PowerPoint presentation and was excited to dust off my speaking skills.
As I prepared my presentation, the points I thought I wanted to emphasize began to evolve. As I thought through my message to these students, I realized more than ever that 'The Trip and the Trade' is more than trading yoga for community service. It is a time for me to learn about my path in life - what I've done, what I'm doing, and what I am going to do. The four points that it was my intent to emphasize became:
a. Handling Transition Gracefully and Professionally
b. Seeing Opportunity in Undesirable Situations
c. Making a Plan
d. Executing Your Plan
Avid presentation 10 15-10
As I presented to the first, the second, and then the third class different things became part of the presentation and I learned right along with my listeners. My experience with these students renewed my hope for and confidence in the youth of our Country. These were a great group of young people who are being educated by great teachers. A big thank you to Mike Gobel and Sherry McConn for welcoming me into your classrooms and to Marika for mandating some 'own it' time for me.
As I presented to the first, the second, and then the third class different things became part of the presentation and I learned right along with my listeners. My experience with these students renewed my hope for and confidence in the youth of our Country. These were a great group of young people who are being educated by great teachers. A big thank you to Mike Gobel and Sherry McConn for welcoming me into your classrooms and to Marika for mandating some 'own it' time for me.
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