Mayfield students discover the essence of their Holy Child education
Our two Mayfield student ministers had the jitters. They were far from home this summer and were about to become first-time teachers in a Manhattan classroom full of antsy fifth-grade girls at the Cornelia Connelly Center.
But their apprehension melted away the moment they met the girls. Clearly, there was an instant and unique bond between our students and the children they had come to serve.
“The love and excitement for learning that the girls had—it’s the same feeling I see in my own classes at Mayfield,” said Andrea Huerta ‘19. “We were all into learning. The moment we were together in class, everyone was excited.”
What Andrea and Laura Arcia ’19 came to realize was that their shared love of learning with the children and their joyful spirit as Holy Child students bonded them in fulfilling ways despite their diverse backgrounds.
“I learned so much about myself. Just being with the girls showed me how much I value and love our education,” Laura said. “I saw how we all have this zeal and sense of perseverance.”
Every summer one teacher and two students from each Holy Child Network high school perform volunteer teaching service at a week-long summer camp for incoming fifth graders at the Cornelia Connelly Center, which educates at-risk fourth- to eighth-grade girls. The center support and empowers girls to realize their full potential in middle school and beyond.
This summer Mayfield Campus Minister Teri Gonzales helped lead the overall program. Nalei Guzman, our Spanish teacher, also volunteered her service, guiding the student teachers and working them every night on lesson plans. Andrea and Laura were responsible for creating lessons, teaching, fun activities and tutoring their young charges.
Our student teachers said one of the most enlightening lessons was the magnitude of patience and energy it takes to be a teacher. (And these are Mayfield students with high-octane schedules and extra-curriculars.)
“The girls had so many different ideas and were so expressive, we had to really listen and think on our feet,” Andrea said. “We learned what it means to be a part of a collaborative and cooperative process.”
We think this is what our foundress Cornelia Connelly must have envisioned when she established her schools with a mission to instill a love of learning, commitment to service and true respect for the uniqueness and dignity of each child.
“I just felt such a closeness to the students,” Laura said. “I never felt above them. I felt that were were on the same level and they were teaching us so much about our own personal growth.
No comments have been posted
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
