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ED 97/197 Field Studies
Feedback on ED 97/197
This page is updated as we get feedback so keep returning to get new information
Fieldwork in education was a really great experience for me. Since [Section 48] was taken with Ed 140AC, I was able to connect educational theory learned in the classroom with my personal experiences working with children and other people. I was able to take what I learned and apply it to how I interacted with the youth. Because of this, I feel I was able to get much more out of volunteering and do a better job than I would have.
---Nancy
In the Spring semester of 2003, I participated in Ed 197 at an after school enrichment program, as part of the Ed 140 requirement. At the field site I found my heart. While only 45 hours of field work were required for the semester, I found I spent far more hours here than this. I generally found myself the first to arrive and the last to leave - the Alpha and the Omega I called myself. I found the seeds of good moral conduct and leading by example to be reflected in observing the child particpants. I discovered the personal value displayed on a kids face when they are learning and understand something. Their eyes become wide, they have a big smile on their face, and you can just tell their little minds are ticking away absorbing the new world they are discovering. I was so thrilled working in this program as part of Glynda Hull's Ed 140 class that I altered my future career plans and educational endeavors to encompass this program, Language, Literacy, Society and Culture. Having completed my undergrad requirements here at Berkeley last spring, I felt strong enough about wanting to be part of this exceptional program that I extended my graduation for a year enabling me to apply to the program before closure, as was the case this year.
In addition, I felt compelled to fully engage in the process of the afterschool enrichment program during the summer; an intensive program going Monday through Friday 8am to noon for the younger kids, than noon till 4pm for the middle school age kids. Again, my feelings were so strong that it took priority over a scholar program I was accepted to at Berkeley for the summer which had overlapping time conflicts with the after school enrichment program - so, I chose, followed my heart, and went with devoting full time to the after school enrichment program.
Finally, the sacrifice I make for the program is well worth it. Being more of a night owl, getting up Monday through Friday at 630am to be here by 8am I found to be no problem. In addtion, I never have left at noon - always staying at least till the last kid's parent has picked them up. Beyond this, I even got involved with the next program starting at noon; one night even here till 11pm with a group of us here to help a middle school kid finish her movie before returning to her native country in the morning. The next day we had a field trip to UC Berkeley, but getting back here at 8am was no problem, even though after finishing the movie with the kid and her father, we went and had a slice of pizza - the greatest time I found to gather data from the informants - in a casual setting. The evening ended with me taking them home. So, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the Ed 197 program. After over 15 years in a high tech computer field, I said when I left a few years back that any job I do again in the future I will love enough to do for free - and this is exactly what I do now.I can only say, thanks to all for helping me find my heart!
---Tom
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