July 11, 2014 10:45 to 12:00

I decided to go to a different classroom on Friday to get a chance to meet more kids. I worked in the classroom with the girls this time, and it was an adventure. I quickly learned that the girls have way more attitude and are much more talkative. They asked for a lot more help, and were very vocal when they didn't understand something. The few boys in the classroom were stone faced and worked diligently almost the entire time.

I only had the opportunity to help one student during this session because the girls latched onto the other tutors and wouldn't let them go. The boy I helped was confused with the wording of one questions in his packet. After reading through it a few times together, I helped him figure out what the question was really saying.  He completed the rest of his work without any trouble. I was glad he asked for help, because he could have easily missed several points by reading the questions wrong.

We finished the day with a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit, where I noticed the girls became increasingly quiet. They are loud and boisterous in their classroom, but once you get them in a larger group they do not want to participate. I'm interested to learn more about these girls.

July 9, 2014 1:00 to 2:30 PM

I was really excited to go back to the Detention Center today. My initial nerves were gone, and I looked forward to getting to know the students even more. Due to the nature of the center, many of the boys I had worked with last week were gone. However, there were two, specifically, that I was able to learn more about. One of the boys is definitely brilliant, but he has quite the attitude. I don't know how long he is there, but I was grateful for the chance I had to talk to him today. He has finished all of his required packets--in record time!--so he was given a novel to read. Since I plan to teach English, I took this opportunity to pick his brain. He told me all about his favorite Gary Paulsen novels and what he likes about reading. I enjoyed seeing into a 17 year old boy's mind for just that small moment. I also talked to a boy who is only at the Detention Center for one day. He was sullen, and really didn't want to work. He knew it was pointless because he would be leaving tomorrow. I was able to have a great conversation with him about his future and college. He hates school and didn't graduate. However, he is really close, and I hope I gave him encouragement for the future.

I have learned a lot in just the two short days I have volunteered. I still feel a little uncomfortable approaching the boys and asking if they need help. A lot of the packets are so basic, and I don't want to make them feel stupid. But I am grateful for the more personal moments when I get a chance to learn more about them and their lives outside the Detention Center.

July 2 1:00 to 2:30 PM

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first walked through those super-locked doors. I wasn't sure if I would be approached with hostile and violent teenage boys or if they would be typical, goofy, and fun. I was promptly greeted by members of the 1010 class. I was impressed with their control and understanding of the situation. After a few minutes of waiting, the students came back into the classrooms. My fears were quickly replaced as I learned that the boys I worked with are easy-going and playful and definitely misunderstood. I think many of them recognize the seriousness of their choices while some are still learning that there are direct consequences for what they do.

I did feel that there were a few too many of us for the amount of boys and the 1010 students had everything under control. Each boy was working on a different packet, and it was obvious that a few of them did not want our help. For awhile I wandered the classroom and stopped when it looked like someone needed assistance. After some time I felt like I was hovering too much, and I know I have a hard time working when someone is hovering, so I backed off. Another volunteer and I ended up grading a few packets for most of the time.

The highlight of my time at the Weber Valley Detention Center came near the end. The 1010 volunteers play a game with the students for the last half hour every afternoon. This is a brilliant idea. It was obvious that those students were burnt out and bored, and they needed something to wake them up. The volunteers had them write down words the day previously and typed them up for a game of pictionary. Teams were quickly gathered and the vibe in the room quickly changed. I observed rather than participated in this activity, but I enjoyed seeing the relationships that all of the volunteers had developed with the boys and girls. It was obvious they both had mutual respect and understanding of each other. I hope by the end of this experience I have gained that same relationship!