
What I have gotten out of STEP is indescribable. This year, I have worked, or am currently working at Hackett Middle School, North Albany Academy, Green Tech Academy, Albany High School, and tutoring here, at the University. My responsibilities in each were different, so I got to put on many different hats when it came to dealing with teenagers and pre-teens. I got to get one-on-one experiences some pre-teens and help them with homework assignments they were struggling with. It was very satisfying for me to help someone struggling with something, like math, and explaining it to them and having them master it. I, also, got to mentor, which I got a lot more out of. When mentoring the teens and pre-teens I've mentored, I've found that it is important to make them feel comfortable with me because I am close enough in age with them to relate, but old enough to have some experience in certain things they might not be aware of. In North Albany Academy, I was trying to make my mentees understand the importance of how well they do at this stage of their academics. I, also, gave some advice on how to time manage between their studies and recreational activities, which I hope has gotten through to them. It was a bit different in Green Tech, where the teens were just waiting to graduate and get to college. It was a great experience for me to share my experiences in college and talk about the college process to these young men. It made me realize that it wasn't that long ago that I was in their shoes, and how far I am getting to reaching my goals. STEP has been great to me this year and I have definitely taken a lot from it. I hope that my time and effort has been felt, and hope STEP continues with its success.