PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – Cody Wells is serving AmeriCorps at Punxsutawney Area School District, Jenks Hill.
The following article is an interview with Cody:
For as long as I can remember, my passion has been helping others. Whether volunteering as a tutor in high school or simply helping my little sister with her grade-school homework my career choice was clear: I wanted to become a teacher.
After graduating from high school, I worked hard to put myself through college, earning a B.S.Ed. with three certifications in only four short years. I also continued to serve in a variety of community service projects and at fundraisers to help my small college town and the local community.
During and after my college experience, I had the ability to work in a number of different school districts, teaching a variety of diverse learners. Whether working in primary or secondary settings, I have always felt pride in helping students enjoy learning, the same way I had when I was in their shoes.
AmeriCorps really seemed to stand out to me because they seemed to promote this same belief, even developing new ways for educators to teach, particularly through service learning. Throughout my teaching experience with AmeriCorps I have developed into a well-rounded and better experienced teacher.
Working with students, parents, and teachers through AmeriCorps not only prepares educators for successful careers but also provides a strong foundation of students who are actively engaged in community service to become more responsible citizens. This, I feel, should be the strong core of any teacher’s philosophy: teaching students in an academic setting while at the same time preparing them to be productive citizens within their communities.
Article submitted by Amy Anderson, Assistant AmeriCorps Director
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