Written Reflection One - Chandler Unfried: Ready! Set! GO!

 With any journey or any race, there are going to be obstacles in your path.  These obstacles more often than not make the journey meaningful or at least provide you with more insight than you had before.  Our service-learning group has experienced one of these obstacles already leading up to our service.  As I touched on in my last post, we were informed that we were required to complete a three hour Virtus training session on our own time before we could begin our service.  This training was required by the elementary school, Seton Catholic School, we will be serving this semester.  The program focuses on protecting the children from wrongdoing by the people that work with them in religious places or programs.  Unfortunately, we have not been able to serve thus far because of limited availability of training sessions, but we plan to serve this upcoming Monday.  YAY!!

My excitement to serve this week is through the roof!  On Monday, we will be teaching the girls about cooperation.  I think this is very fitting for our opening lesson with the girls.  Cooperation has been important in our journey thus   Things have not run exactly smoothly, but everyone has pulled together.  No one has complained, and it is finally all going to pay off when we meet those amazing little ladies!  Reading over the lesson we will be presenting on Monday, two points stood out to me: respect and diversity.  Respect goes a long way when you are working with a group.  Everyone is going to have different opinions and values, and that is okay!  Diversity can seem like a challenge in cooperative group activities, but once you dive in and really begin to work together, you will realize that diversity is what drives and enhances the ideas that will solve your problem or achieve your goal.  For this to work, however, respect is KEY!  Without it, nothing will get done.  Creative and innovative ideas will not be heard for fear of disrespect.  Group work should provoke a positive environment, not a negative one!  As a group, we will be working together, cooperating, to get this point across to the girls through team-building games and exercises. 

far.

We are coming into the girls’ journey through the program about halfway through.  I am confident that they have grown in the past weeks, but there is always room to grow.  I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of that growth.  I would not be surprised if I too walk (or run) away from this program having grown myself.  My anticipation is overflowing.  It is almost time to start!  On your marks!  Get ready! Get set!  GO!