Name: Kate Vander Ploeg
Age: 24
Occupation: Teacher
Educational Background:
BA in Psychology, Stanford University ’08
Credential & Masters in Education, Stanford University ‘09
Duration of Stay at Daraja: July 13th- August 6th
How did you hear about Daraja Academy?
My dad is a friend of board member Bob Bessin. I met with Bob to talk about Daraja and he invited me to the Fund-a-Need Benefit at the end of March. I learned more about the school at the event and, by May, I was speaking to Suzanne Montgomery, the volunteer director, and we figured out a plan on what I could do while I was at Daraja. I booked my ticket for July that month. Everything happened really fast.
What has been your role since you arrived?
I’ve been working with the teachers on how to support students with learning differences and special needs at Daraja. That includes daily lunchtime workshops where I talk about different learning modalities and types of learning ie spatial ordering versus sequential ordering, expressive language versus receptive language. As a teacher, it is a lot easier to help a student succeed once you find out the breaking point.
I have also been working with four students that the teachers have selected for me. I work with them on tutoring and I create learning profiles and management plans on the selected students for the teachers to use.
Did you arrive with any materials for your volunteer role?
Each teacher got a binder that I compiled before I came here. (See picture at the bottom of the blog post). It is a collection of resources and tools that I’ve gathered over the years.
The lunch workshops have been a place for me to go more in depth with the material I brought. My hope is to plant the seeds for the teachers during the workshops so that they are able to use these materials after I’m gone.
Has the volunteer experience been what you expected?
Yes and no. I expected Daraja to be very different from what I was used to back home and it is. I expected it to be very rewarding and it has been. But I also didn’t expect to have it to be so fulfilling and mutually beneficial working with the teachers. I’ve learned so much from them. Since this isn’t a role I normally play in the States, it’s been a nice change of pace.
What is it like working with the Daraja staff?
I think in the States, you might find some teachers who would grumble about giving up their lunch or may only see the downsides and complications with these learning strategies. The teachers here, however, are so dedicated and so motivated. They are just so excited about learning anything that could help them support their students. And when I offer suggestions, they are always eager to use them.
Have you had a chance to interact with the students?
Yes- Apart from working with the specific students assigned to me by the teachers, I help others with studying during study hall. I play sports with them, share meals with them. It’s hard not to interact with the students here. They are so excited about getting to know you and sharing who they are with you.
The Fun Stuff:
Favorite movie: Oh jeeze…. let’s come back to this one..(few minutes later) The Adventures of Milo and Otis. It’s phenomenal!
Favorite book: East of Eden by John Steinback
What was your favorite musical group when you were in junior high? *N Sync
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Thailand because I hear the culture, food and festivals are amazing.
You’re about to make your way down the green mile, what do you have as your last meal? Thanksgiving dinner with extra stuffing.
Who is the person you respect the most and why? My mom and dad. They have always encouraged me to follow my own path and they have shown me what it means to have a spirit of generosity.
What do you think is the secret to a good life? Loving and respecting others. There are so many ways to go about living in this world and the sooner that you realize that and appreciate that, the more satisfied you will be with your own life.
