DC Elementary School Program Final Week!

By Laura Ma, DC Elementary School Program Intern
Photo Courtesy of AALEAD Staff

To wrap up our blog posts for the final week of our amazing summer program, I have interviewed both members of the staff and students to get their take on their summer with Asian American LEAD (AALEAD). It has certainly been a busy five weeks for staff and students alike, so let’s see what they had to say about our field trips, workshops, and the summer as a whole!

Interview with Brian, Panda Class, Kindergarten

Laura: What was your favorite field trip?
Brian: I think…picking.
Laura: Picking the blackberries? Why did you like picking blackberries?
Brian: I like to eat it.
Laura: What’s your favorite part of the day?
Brian: I don’t know. I like recess.
Laura: Why do you like recess?
Brian: Because I like slides.
Laura: What do you think makes Miss Micah really happy?
Brian: I don’t know! Maybe AALEAD?

Interview with Lisa, Lion Class, 4th Grade

Laura: What was your favorite field trip this summer?
Lisa: Six Flags!
Laura: Why did you like it?
Lisa: I liked the water park.
Laura: What about your favorite workshop?
Lisa: Hakka dancing.
Laura: What is your favorite part of the day?
Lisa: Recess. Because I get to play soccer.
Laura: What do you think makes Miss Micah happiest?
Lisa: When people enjoy AALEAD.

Interview with Melat, Tiger Class, 6th Grade

Laura: What was your favorite field trip this summer?
Melat: Six Flags! It was fun. Swimming, roller coasters, food!
Laura: What was your favorite workshop this summer?
Melat: In the afternoon, we got to learn about other people’s traditions.
Laura: What’s your favorite part of the day?
Melat: Afternoon. Because of the workshops.
Laura: And what do you think makes Miss Micah happiest?
Melat: Listening and paying attention.

Interview with Miss Ari, Tiger Class, Morning Literacy Teacher

Laura: What was your favorite field trip this summer?
Ari: I loved going to  Six Flags because I got to have some individual time with the kids. I had a group of 5 girls, so we got to hang out and get to know each other and goof off. It was just a really exciting, low pressure day where we got to know each other on a more personal level.
Laura: What was your favorite part of the day?
Ari: My favorite part of the day was probably when we would do fun activities, and there would be a little bit of resistance to start at first because they had never done that sort of thing before. We played a few new games, but once they got into it, they were really excited and started encouraging each other. I really love when those moments would happen, and they would always surprise themselves with getting really into things.
Laura: What do you think makes your students the happiest?
Ari: I think feeling like they have agency over what they are doing. And also feeling like they are getting tools that are useful for them. So I think getting to have a balance of getting useful tools that they don’t already have and feeling like they have a choice in what they are doing makes them the happiest.
Laura: And what do you think keeps Miss Micah the happiest?
Ari: (laughs) I think seeing the students really having fun and not even realizing that they are learning. And when things are going smoothly on all ends, and when she just gets to come in and be a part of what’s happening rather than have to mitigate anything. That’s kind of the dream, right? That her team of teachers has all the tools they need to be able to run their programs, and she can just check in to make sure everything is okay.

Interview with Micah, DC Programs Manager

Laura: What was your favorite field trip this summer and why?
Micah: I would say the farm, actually, because the weather was good; it was one of the first field trips that was just relaxing in a way. And to be able to step away from my desk and put down all of the work and just enjoy the kids, the farm, and the blackberries. And it didn’t hurt that blackberries are my favorite fruit.
Laura: What about your favorite workshop series?
Micah: Oh. That one is hard. I really love the middle school transition workshops that the middle and high school students are doing because it’s awesome to see the students – many of whom I knew when they were in elementary school – step into that leadership role and work with the younger students. It’s also been amazing because I’ve seen one student in particular who would refuse to even get up and say her name in front of the class be really excited to do the skits. So to see her just come out of her shell a little bit more and be less shy has been awesome. The other one I really enjoyed has been seeing the Hakka (dancing). The little pieces that I’ve seen of it. It’s just so energizing seeing the kids doing it.
Laura: What is your favorite part of the day?
Micah: Sometimes the quiet at 5PM when all the kids go home, and I can sit at my desk and get work done. But that’s not really the right answer. You know what? My  favorite part of the day is anytime I am able to step away from my desk – not for a behavioral issue – and am able to spend some time in the classroom because that’s a little rare for me.
Laura: What do you think makes the students most happy?
Micah: Recess. Definitely recess. I wish it was something else, but it’s recess.
Laura: And what keeps you the most happy?
Micah: Coffee.

The summer program is now over, and it’s been such a privilege for me to work with people such as Miss Micah and see what the students at AALEAD  get to do. I hope they continue to take advantage of the amazing programs and workshops that AALEAD provides and, of course, enjoy recess.