Volunteer in a grade 4/5 class
Out of all of the classrooms that I had been in, this one was the quietest. It was hard to bond with the students in such a quiet room because they were shy about speaking in a room where you could hear a pin drop. They had a very old school, no funny business, teacher. I would often lead reading groups of about four students in the cafeteria, this was my saving grace for bonding. I found the students were much more willing to share things with me and have an open discussion about the text. This experience made me realize that students will only show you their true selves when given the space to do so.
Volunteer in a 2/3 class
This was the very first classroom I volunteered in so naturally, I feel a special connection to it. This class was also the smallest, but the students were so comfortable being themselves that it felt busier than a class of 20. It was a sight to see in the best way possible, this is what I think classrooms should be. Students felt comfortable expressing honest emotions during the learning process, and their teacher allowed the time and space for the students to just be kids. They got their work done, and in addition, they learned valuable lessons such as how to regulate difficult emotions, how to ask for needs to be met, and how to be a good friend. This is the class that made me realize teachers are so much more than just educators of a curriculum, they have a much deeper purpose in the journey of student learning.