My name is Evelyn and I am in my third summer of TAing at the Sacred Heart Bridge Program. When I arrive first thing in the morning, I'm so sleepy from working my second job the night before that it's almost impossible to stay awake. Once I see a few kids stream their way to the courtyard I wake immediately.
Being at Bridge gives me so much energy and the most awesome chance to work with kids. I can start up a conversation about anything and enjoy their input and point of view. Working at Bridge definitely made me realize just how important I am to younger kids, here and at home. I go home and my little sister loves to hear about what the kids are doing and what activities they get to choose and so on. What impresses me most of all is that the kids all trust me enough to tell me when they are upset. If a seventh grader picks on them during sports about their size, they tell me instead of resorting to fighting and arguing with them. I feel privileged to be able to help the kids who come to me.
I have definitely seen a change in so many of the fifth graders here, especially the quiet ones. I make sure to find them every morning or lunch and just sit and talk with them. Sure enough, after inviting a few other kids along, they were all sharing their own thoughts on Sacred Heart's "haunted" campus. Manny, Gian and Arjun have definitely become a bit more outspoken in class and outside. They used to be so soft-spoken that I had to continuously ask them to speak louder. I can see that Bridge has definitely given both the kids and me a chance to be in a different environment and enjoy the day.
Since I am a Bridge graduate, I remember the TAs while in the program. They always knew when to be serious and when to be silly, it was like magic. I guess that's close to what I am for many here because they hang on everything you say; even if it's something you made up off the top of your head. I believe that this year is one of the best by far because of the
wonderful group of teachers and TA's we have, and the kids who are so willing to hang out with us and learn so much. Everyone loves to be here at Bridge; you can definitely see it in their faces and hear it in voices, from the classes in the morning or to the activities in the afternoon.