Diversity Experiences
World Youth Day:
In the Summer of 2016 I was privileged enough to travel to Krakow, Poland on a pilgrimage. The group I traveled with also stopped in the Czech Republic, and Berlin, Germany. I met people from all over the world who came to worship, travel, and experience a new side of life! I learned what other cultures eat, and what languages are spoken in different countries. During outdoor masses, my group had to use a radio that translated the Latin mass said by the Pope into English. This pilgrimage is a pilgrimage that I will never forget because of the millions of people from all over the world that came together in one place.
St. Louis Missouri:
In the fall of my senior year of high school, I traveled to St. Louis on a mission trip to provide assistance to students at a poor middle school that had little resources. I knew that going on this mission trip would provide me with my first encounter with students who were underprivileged. This low socioeconomic charter school is located in a harsh part of St. Louis, with most of the students being African-American. The motto of the school is "I am Somebody" where students can walk in and know that they are faced with an education they can be proud of.
Some facts on the school:
1. 100% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
2. In 2016, 16% of the families were homeless.
3. 33% of the students have lost a family member or the family member is in jail.
The school has a massive turn-around as 98% of the students will go on to graduate from high school, and attend a four year college.
Special Education Practicum:
During my Special Education practicum I worked with students from different ability backgrounds. From students with minor hygiene issues, to major behavioral needs. I remember one student in particular, who had major behavioral issues, and needed to be sedated in his own "quiet room" each day. This room was located next to the special education room where the aide would let him hit the walls when he needed, and work at his own pace. This practicum opened my eyes to all sorts of disabilities and the wide range of materials that can be used to assist students.
In the Summer of 2016 I was privileged enough to travel to Krakow, Poland on a pilgrimage. The group I traveled with also stopped in the Czech Republic, and Berlin, Germany. I met people from all over the world who came to worship, travel, and experience a new side of life! I learned what other cultures eat, and what languages are spoken in different countries. During outdoor masses, my group had to use a radio that translated the Latin mass said by the Pope into English. This pilgrimage is a pilgrimage that I will never forget because of the millions of people from all over the world that came together in one place.
St. Louis Missouri:
In the fall of my senior year of high school, I traveled to St. Louis on a mission trip to provide assistance to students at a poor middle school that had little resources. I knew that going on this mission trip would provide me with my first encounter with students who were underprivileged. This low socioeconomic charter school is located in a harsh part of St. Louis, with most of the students being African-American. The motto of the school is "I am Somebody" where students can walk in and know that they are faced with an education they can be proud of.
Some facts on the school:
1. 100% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
2. In 2016, 16% of the families were homeless.
3. 33% of the students have lost a family member or the family member is in jail.
The school has a massive turn-around as 98% of the students will go on to graduate from high school, and attend a four year college.
Special Education Practicum:
During my Special Education practicum I worked with students from different ability backgrounds. From students with minor hygiene issues, to major behavioral needs. I remember one student in particular, who had major behavioral issues, and needed to be sedated in his own "quiet room" each day. This room was located next to the special education room where the aide would let him hit the walls when he needed, and work at his own pace. This practicum opened my eyes to all sorts of disabilities and the wide range of materials that can be used to assist students.