When I first learned about Pono, I was stunned. The first thought that struck me was "I wish to study in a school like this!" I felt that this school is too good to be true.
With my love for kids, my passion for education, and my life guide about paying back and making positive impact to the world, I hope to become an intern and build the dream education for kids with Pono together.
Love for Kids
I love kids from my heart. It's a strong feeling that I don't know how to put it into words. Kids makes me feel genuinely happy, and I always feel so connected with them when I look into their eyes. I feel like we could somehow communicate without words.
I don't have profession experiences with kids, but there are more or less some kids around me through out my life. I still remember when I was 13, I got along with my younger cousin really well who was only 1-2 year old. I visited him once every month and every time when I left, he cried so hard that I could hear him inside the car.
A recent experience with kids happened two years ago. When I was working in a startup, one of my colleague brought her baby to work every day. When she was busy with something, I became the baby sitter because no one except me could calm the baby down when her mom was not there. I would carry her gently, walk her around, talk to her, try to figure out what she wants and what's her interest by observing her gesture and eyes.
I also get along with older kids too. There's once my high school teacher asked me to accompany him and his two boys who were 4 and 7 at that time to go hiking because he knew I'm familiar with that area. Through the whole trip, those two boys stuck with me. I reminded them to watch their steps, told them tips of walking in the mountains and guided them through rough path. I helped them a bit when it's necessary, and let them try when it's safe. They held my hands and totally ignored their father (who's really happy to get some free time)through the hike. Since then, I went hiking with them at least once every year, now they are turning 8 and 11.
Except those long term relationships with kids, I can have good interactions with kids I just met in a park or on the subway also. Kids see me as their friends and are willing to talk to me or play with me in a short period of time. I think it's because I'll put full attention on them, focusing on what they are about to show me and try to blend in their world. I once ran and lay on the grass with a 4 year old I just met in the park because she said there were sharks and we have to run (and we are too slow so we died)!
Passion for Education
Education is a calling deep in my heart. I’ve been to great schools and met so many great teachers who inspired me and taught me with all their hearts through my education journey. They are the reason why I am "Me" now.
I studied in an experimental kindergarten when I was three. Their philosophy is to let kids to explore all kinds different activities and have fun. I remember going outdoors to touch the trees, using crayon and paper to capture the texture of the bark. I remember we did indoor rock climbing, ice skating, making pottery, cooking, etc. I don't remember much about that time, but I can feel I had a great childhood there, and it definitely forms some part of my personality, for example, I'm not afraid of unknown and love challenges now.
Another story I would like to share is about my elementary school teacher. It was a sunny afternoon, my friend and I had a huge fight arguing about something. I was so angry at her and our argument couldn't settle for quite a while. Our teacher came and asked what's going on, she listened to us but she didn't judge us or stand sides.
She simply said to us, "The reason that you two are so mad at each other is because you are really good friends and you care about each other, and that is the most important things, right?" I'll never forget that moment, I wasn't angry anymore after the powerful sentence the teacher said, and since then, I don't easily get angry with anyone.
There are still so much more stories I could share, all of those made me learned how important and impactful a teacher could be. Furthermore, those amazing teachers made me such a good person that I feel very grateful and fortunate, and I want to do the same when I have the ability to give back to the world.
My Belief
While preparing this application, I reviewed my life and had enjoying thinking about what makes me “me”. I recalled a poem from Emerson that I read at age fourteen. I was so touched at that time, especially by this sentence, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
I love the feeling when someone smiles because of something I did. I am eager to help others because I feel happy when people around me are happy; I laugh when people around me are laughing. Bringing positive messages to the world is my goal and life guide. It brings me to almost everything I have experienced.
I was the activity director of the student association in high school, studied landscape design in college, attended Youth Entrepreneur of the Future program, worked in a start-up which is also a social enterprise, and now studying in Parsons Strategic Design and Management as masters. With all of these experiences, I 'm seeking a life-changing opportunity to shift my career path to children-related environments. I am looking forward to joining Pono and equipping myself to create positive influences in the future.
For those who haven't heard about Pono
Pono offers school-age children an independent, democratic, and outdoor educational program where each child’s interests and innate desire to learn are cherished and nurtured as the children are immersed in a harmonious learning community and authentic world learning environment, and guided to becoming life-long thinkers and balanced human beings.
——Pono's Mission form the official website
In an easy way to explain, there are two principles in Pono:
- Students decide what they would like to learn in a democratic way, and teachers try to make the learning happen by planning trips or inviting experts of the field to come and lead a class.
- Half of the class time would happen outside the classroom. Either exploring nature, visiting factories, or attending workshops; students learn through connecting with the environment.
Doesn't this sounds excited? Check out their website for more details!
#Dream School of Mine
#Best School in NYC
