“Hey everyone, welcome back!” I say to my students, as I let them in from the zoom waiting room. I began volunteer teaching with the Youth Academic Program Association (YAPA Kids) back in April 2020, when all the chaos of Covid-19 disturbed regular school routines. The uncertainties of that time left many kids without teaching instruction for an extended time. Our online zoom program sought to relieve the inconsistency. 

I got to interact with kids from many different states, and even other countries like the Philippines, while teaching various lessons in science, math, geography, and Spanish. I encouraged my friends to join as well and shared this opportunity with our school’s Interact Service Club to help further the program’s impact and expand the number of students we reach. 
 

As Class Lead, I sent emails each week, updating parents on the material we were covering, and resolving technology-related and scheduling issues. I collaborated with the other class teachers, leading them through instruction methods and plans. We would share ideas, building each other’s explanations, and answering students’ questions. 
 

When I was teaching these classes, I discovered many new, effective, online learning resources like home experiments to share with my students. Our activities ranged from a graham-cracker and frosting conceptual activity to explain plate tectonics to introducing chemistry with the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction. 

It makes me very happy to see the kids excited about new science facts they’re learning or have the “aha” moment when they understand a new math concept. Their fascination with new information is so contagious and I sometimes found myself going off on tangents, talking about electromagnetism or waves. Many times, I also learned new geography and world facts as well, from researching the answers to their curious inquisitions.

 

I was fueled by their enthusiasm, so I always tried to find fun information and games to add to my presentations, to motivate them to stay active in class. I felt very happy sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired through my schooling and am glad I was able to help my students grow their passion for learning!

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I never would have gotten to meet all these kids and help them learn without Zoom, ever-evolving technologies, and of course, computers. :)