Great Stories
Montana Campus Corps:
College Students Meeting Critical Community Needs
Elder Grove Story by Tierney Brown

During my 14 weeks at Elder Grove Elementary School, I had the opportunity to work with many students from several different socio-economic backgrounds. However, putting their backgrounds aside, all of the students I encountered provided an amazing experience for me as I found out what it means to become an excellent teacher. These students shared stories, gave me feedback on my teaching and allowed me into their individual lives as I learned so much from them in the beginning of the sixth grade year.

I worked with many students who mostly scored below-average, but who opened my eyes to important aspects of education. I learned to respect them and learn from them, which they in turn showed to me. I was able to create a personal relationship with a lot of the students because I wanted to learn right along with them.

In addition to the classroom, I became involved with the school music program and worked with vocals and instruments with the students. This again allowed me a view of young students and their every day lives and what is most important to them. I not only learned how to accompany students better on the piano, but also how to begin a connection based in music.

Overall, my volunteer hours for my teaching program taught me more than any college class could. I learned from my mentoring teacher and also from all the students I interacted with on a daily basis.

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