by Carson Armstrong

What stood out to me was the fact that I was actually able to help these kids. I was expecting them to be way better at writing than I was and that I wouldn’t have any useful information to give, but I’ve learned that no matter how good you are there are always ways you can change and improve. We all have different ways of thinking about problems so I was able to help them look at their problems from a different angle and figure it out in a different way than before. It was really rewarding because I would help them solve an issue that they have been struggling with for a while and it was great to see the relief wash over them when their paper improved. This has helped me with my writing because it has had to make me think more about writing and be more intentional with the advice I am giving. When teaching it is important to make sure you are placing yourself at the same level as the students so you are not being condescending and also because they might have some good input too that is better than yours. My goal for this semester is to help these kids get into the colleges they want with their papers, and to also just help them have a better understanding of writing in general. A lot of them have the same viewpoints I had when I was in their shoes – i was writing just to spit out my ideas without considering the flow or the audience or anything like that. 

I have learned that the Asheville community is a very warm and caring environment. Everyone is very involved in community service and helping others. I have seen this through initiatives on campus for the environment and underrepresented students, and also in the area as a whole helping out people of color and the homeless.