Meet an AmeriCorps Member with Traneshia Stormer

Meet AmeriCorps member Traneshia Stormer, who serves at ARISE Academy. She discusses her favorite times to spend with students throughout her day-to-day schedule.

One of my favorite times with my students is small group intervention. During our small group time, I give students extra support with their academics. The students are always really excited for it, and it is something we all look forward to. I love being able to interact with students one-on-one or in a small group because it gives me a chance to get to know them better. I love seeing their excitement to learn and watching them grow a little each day. I believe small group intervention also gives the students a little more freedom to be open and express themselves.

Another one of my favorite times to spend with students is recess because they always have so much energy. It makes me smile to see them running around and playing with one another and just enjoying life. I also love this time because I get to bond with students on a higher level and in a different way; we get to talk, laugh and play games. They love to tell me about themselves and their families. It’s only a short time, but the students and I always make the most of it.

As much as I enjoy these activities, my all-time favorite part of my day isn’t really part of my schedule at all. What I look forward to the most is all the hugs and love I get from my students! No matter what kind of day I’m having, their compassion always makes me feel ten times better; it reminds me why I do what I do every day. I do it for the students. I do it so I can see them smile and hear them laugh and feel the warmth of their hugs every day.