We managed to get the collage done, but it seemed like an impossible task to get the other three projects underway with just one day left. Unfortunately I found out that afternoon that he hadn't even tried to turn in his permission slip to his mom. We got her contact information and called and emailed her a number of times to tell her about the necessity of the permission slip. She never returned our calls or replied to the emails. We also can't just waltz on up the the middle school to work with them anymore, so we are now royally stuck in a pickle.
It was somewhat of a relief to hear that we only had to complete and turn in the first two projects, but it was also a bummer. The whole point of this project was to have a good time being a mentor and help the kids think about their futures. I guess this time around fortune just turned its back on us. I enjoyed working with my student while I was there, but in retrospect I see that none of them really appreciated what we were trying to do with them. The vibe that I picked up from most of the kids was that they just wanted to do what they had to do and get out of there. I understand that because those teachers/proctors were terrifying, but that is no excuse for not turning in the permission slips. I would have been a perfectly fun time to meet with them elsewhere, but I think they just pulled the wool over their parents' eyes because they could.
I was disappointed that the middle school teachers didn't try harder to enforce the right rules. All they did was yell at the kids about being quiet and getting in line for the bus. They did not seem interested in getting the parents informed about the projects and I felt like we were encroaching on their personal time because they never stopped glaring at all of us. It seemed that they just got into doing this project with us to boost their PR. Epic fail.
Another thing I thought was awkward was the amount of driving I had to do to get there. I spent more time driving down there and back home than I spent working with my kid. That was a total waste in my opinion. Couldn't they have been bused up to the university? Also I was personally NOT comfortable driving around down by Bryan because I had never been in that area and I didn't know my way around. When we got lost on the first day we called the office to ask for directions and no one knew what to tell us; very unhelpful! Then, when we finally got there everyone was mad at us. I'm sorry but that was just not fair.
On another, happier note, I have decided that I like helping people; at least, those who appreciate it. I will continue to tutor my classmates in math or whatever else they need help with next year. It is rewarding to see people succeed because of the work you invested in them. One positive thing that I will take away from our serving and learning experience together is that now I understand that there IS a huge need for tutors for all ages. I know that there is at least one niche I can fill in society now.
