Joyce



Say Hello To My Puppy, Sunny My name is Joyce Kim, and I am in grade 12. I have already completed most of my grade 12 courses and cannot wait to graduate; I think 3 and 1/2 long, brutal years of secondary school has had its toll. However, I am still the same enthusiastic student, wanting to learn more and more. I don't necessarily have the best marks in every course, but I have always enjoyed the courses that I have taken. As a result, I think I am pretty much well-rounded, but I am confident in math and science subject areas. I want to help other students who really need my help because it always feels good to help other people even if you're not being appreciated. I find that helping other students benefits not only the students but also yourself because you progress just as much as the students. Also, I want to help those students to enjoy their courses just as I have enjoyed mine. I just want to make the last 5 months of school count! Lastly, you must be wondering why I have my precious little puppy here. It's because she's that special. The only reason I don't like talking about her is because I don't want to wear her name out! :D

**JOURNALSJOURNALS JOURNALS Journals ****JOURNALS**

**W****eek 2** This week, I helped around in two classes. For the first half of the week, I helped Miss A+ with her math 11 homework and her biology 11 homework. I was told in the first day that it is good to build a relationship between you and your tutoree, so I worked on that for the first week and the first half of this week. I think I have accomplished this goal because I really got to know my tutoree pretty well. For the second half of the week, I went into an art class to help some kids who were having a hard time focusing on their work. When I first walked into this class, I... really didn't know what to do. The students in this class didn't seem like they needed help; I felt like I could better use my time helping another student or helping Miss A+, my tutoree. There was definitely a big difference between helping out a tutoree and helping out a whole class. I just didn't know what to do. I would walk around the class and ask if they needed my help, but no one seemed to need any help. Oh, and earphones!!!!!! Man! I think I know why teachers don't allow earphones and music in class; some students with earphones plugged in their ears completely ignore what the teacher says. I felt sorry for the teacher. It was a tough week. Well, I tried my best, but it was a completely new experience.


 * W****eek 3**

I decided to tell Ms. Jackman taht I was having a hard time at the art class, so for the rest of the week, I stayed at the learning centre with Miss A+ the whole week. So for the rest of the week, I helped Miss A+ with her math and biology homework. I think some things I could imporve as a peer tutor are encouraging her to complete her work and making the subjects she is having trouble with more fun and approachable. Towards the end of the week, I did play some math pattern games that were shown in her textbook, and it really seemed to work for her. I think it really helped her understand some of the math concepts that she was learning about. Also, another tutoree came into the learning centre this week. I haven't talked to him at all because he just does his work quietly. He hasn't yet asked for help. Maybe next week I'll ask him if he needs help, instead of waiting for him to ask for help. It was a fun,quiet, smooth week!


 * W****eek 4**

I think I am pretty well connected to my peer tutoring class except for couple students who I have not yet been able to talk to. There are couple students who I have not been able to help yet because I wasbusy helping Miss A+ and they seemed to do well on their own. If I have a chance, I want to get around to all of those students and talk to them. I likesaid last week, I should take the first step in talking to them, asking them for help or asking if everything's going fine. Otherwise, my classroom is a great environment to work in, it's quiet and independent. After 4 weeks of helping Miss A+ out, I think I'm seeing improvements; her test scores have risen and she has been completing all her homework. But after helping her for 4 weeks, she's become somewhat dependent on me to give her the answer instead of finding it herself. This bothers me from time to time, but I think this is basically my fault because I gave her the answers right away before she had a chance to think. I've tried to correct this error, but it's still frustrating.


 * W****eek 5**

I think at first it was very stressful. First of all, I didn't even want to be in this class. Also, I am still a student who is still learning just like the tutorees; who would learn from another student? What will happen if I say something wrong, or screw up? Would I be responsible for this? It was very, very stressful. However, now, I think I have gotten used to the classroom and I have already started to enjoy it. Peer tutoring has become a class where I could interact with students that I would not have talked to normally and form a relationship that benefits both of us. So far, erything seems to be working perfectly. Peer tutoring is very different from the other classes because I don't have to be stressed over all the workload I have to do or all the tests that I have coming up. It is a class where I can get to know someone better and, at the same time, help that person do better in school. It's actually very fun and rewarding.


 * W****eek 6**

This week, I felt confident when I found out that Miss A+ did really outstanding on her trigonometry test. It was a hard concept, and I thought she didn't get it. I had to repeat the same thing over and over and over gain. It was dreadful for both of us. :( I was really, genuinely worried for her. But when she met me the next day with a gigantic smile and the good news, I was so relieved and proud; it felt like I had aced a test. This made me very confident because I was worried if I was doing this right, if I was really helping her, if I was spooning her all the answers. This experience has made me realize that it feels good to help people. Also, I think it has added to my knowledge of math because... I didn't know what an ambiguous sine is? I think I could use this knowledge and help others in class because it boosts your confidence and allows you to learn as well as the person being helped.

Well, I have been busy all week helping my tutorees. The number of students in the learning centre has suddely increased, and they all needed help. It was more or less a hectic week. I barely remember what I did. But... um... I did get frustrated once, actually quite a few times, because since there are so many students, I felt a bit overwhelmed and I guess the students were probably just as frustrated because I can't help every single once of them in depth and really help them understand the materials. I'm just exhausted. :(
 * W****eek 7**


 * W****eek 8**

Umm.. I actually did have a meaningful conversation with one of the teachers, because it's almost graduation and I will be off to college. So we were talking about life after high school, how challenging it is in so many different levels, physically, mentally, financially, etc.... We talked specifically about the financial part because colleges can be quite costly especially if you are going out of province or out of country. The teachers told me about various scholarships or loans or grants that I could possibly apply for that will greatly help with the tuition for college. It wasn't an advice for me, but for all the other students here, because some of the students here are in grade 11 or 12 that could possibly continue on with their education after high school. It was helpful!


 * W****eek 9**

Well, yeah I guess. But it doesn't always work out because some students have different views than I do, so I guess I have to respect their views as well. For instance, I think that learning process occurs in one's own head, independently. However, most of tutorees need an external push or just a a guiding hand. Also, some just needs the facts and information straightened out for them for them to really take it in. Also, even if my goal is higher education, some of my tutorees have different goals that do not necessarily require higher education. I guess it's different for every person and I have to respect that.


 * Week 10 **

I am so beat... I can't wait 'til summer. Seriously, I just want school to end like right now. Because of this anticipation for summer, I think I have been slacking off. So my wish would be to straighten out my attitude towards school. I think it's having a negative influence on the students. I mean, who would want a tutor who cries for summer all the time. For the two stars, one would be for getting to know my student real well. The student told me something that I would never be able to say to anyone. And I think that was really cool. For my second star, it would for preventing a student from cheating off the textbook. Even though the test is very difficult, I don't think it is right to cheat. So instead of succumbing to the pleas of this student, I instead helped her remember a bit by bit. I think it was helpful and the right thing to do... I think... I'm actually really not sure. But that's all that I did.


 * Week 11 **

I can't wait!! Only two weeks until graduation!! Until summer!!!! This semester in Peer Tutoring 12 has been not a smooth ride. It was more wok than I had expected. Well, at first it was really easy and simple because the class was practically empty with only one, not even, student that needed help. But as time passed by, the number of students in the class would increase and many more needed help. It was challenging to say the least. But I guess it wasn't always so busy. There were some good times, like when we won doughnuts after a class quiz and received freezes from the teachers because it was so hot. Also, I like spending the time with other students who were all very unique and special. I was able to really get to know them. I learned that being a peer tutor isn't just helping them with their work, but also encouraging and getting the students to really open up, building a really good relationship. But this is really challenging at times, because there is still a line that you have to keep. You can't just socialize with your students all the times; you have to know that it is more beneficial for the students to be working and finishing their work. I really don't think I've done much this semester. The only thing that I think I have done is just being there for the students, encouraging them to finish that work they have to do or just come to class. So I really don't have a specific class that I like because all the classes were just as fun, challenging, worthwhile, and much more. It was something new and completely different from what I normally do at school. It was a great experience!!!! I think I will really miss all of the students and teachers here!!!! :)