Final Reflection

 As I stated at the start, I was inspired to do this project because of the great experience I had taking this class. I think the overall process went quite well: the addition of TAs allowed the class to cover a really broad range of topics that wouldn't have been possible with just two teachers. I also felt like I gained a lot of personal growth at teaching. With Zack and Rennie's help, I learned a lot of good skills for engaging with people more. I often have difficulties communicating things legibly and not rambling, so this is a very important skill for me to learn in general!

I think areas the project could have been improved were our workshops. I think it would have been more beneficial for all the TAs if we had planned some of them much before the actual intensive, so that they would have felt more complete and ready to go. They were still good experiences, but they definitely did not feel as polished as the teachers' workshops. Another difference I would make is the reading of The Fifth Season. Although I love this book and think it is a very necessary read, it definitely seemed to be way too complex for the majority of people to appreciate. I think it is best suited for experienced readers, as opposed to many people who often don't read at all. Instead, I think some more easy to digest pieces of media would have been better, such as a show like Avatar: the Last Airbender.

My advice to rising seniors planning projects is to think further ahead in time. I learned a lot of skills during this, but I had to apply many of them very suddenly. I think it would have been more beneficial if I came in with most of these lessons learned, and then the actual intensive was an exercise in applying them.

My most important takeaway is that the best way to engage with people in a learning environment is to let everyone have a voice. In all of our workshops and activities, the most successful times were when the students discussed topics with each other, rather than be lectured at. It actively engages their interests and allows them to relate topics to their own personalities, which just makes a better environment overall.

I really had a great time doing this project! Zack and Rennie were great mentors that I learned a lot from, and the other TAs were all really fun to work with. Although the experience felt hasty at times, it was still a really beneficial experience for me that I will never forget.

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