Final Service Learning Reflection #1

A literary experience that I have had previous to this semester was working last year at a literacy program called Book'em run by a woman named Melissa Spradlin. Book'em is a literacy program that collects used books and gives them voluntarily to kids in Nashville. There is also a tutoring program within this organization, but I did not help out with this. Instead, I helped out with stamping books in the Book'em office alongside Melissa Spradlin. It was an enjoyable experience in the sense that I knew I was making a difference in the kids lives that would be receiving the books. Although, I wish that I had the opportunity to get out of the office and tutor the kids in the program. It is hard to see that I am making a big difference if I am not experiencing it first hand. I think that actually being in the culture makes a difference.

On the other hand, the experience that I had at Nashville Adult Literacy Council was somewhat of a different experience. I loved being able to actually be immersed in the culture, as opposed to not being immersed when I was at Book'em. It was rewarding to be able to see how much of a difference I was making while I was there. The smile on their faces after I applauded them on getting an answer correct, or the sense of drive and determination I saw in them to learn the language was truly fulfilling. One of the best moments I experienced at Nashville Adult Literacy Council was the overwhelming joy that a woman I tutored experienced after I told her that one of her essays that she wrote was going to be published in a book by Nashville Adult Literacy Council. It made me think about how much I take for granted the great teachers and classes I have had that have helped me to learn English. I think that tutoring at Nashville Adult Literacy Council was an impactful experience that has helped me to see many things in a different way.