Week 10

Entry: #10

Dates: October 26- present

Activities:

Technical Information:

Topic: Final reflection of my internship experience

My experience at MusArt has been a great one. I still work there and will continue to work there for a while! Hopefully through at least until I go to college. I feel so fortunate to have gotten this internship. It fits me perfectly and I love going because it is so fun. I think it's been a valuable experience that will help guide what I want to do in my career. I want to work some place where I am excited to go everyday!

Week 9

Entry: #9

Dates:  October 13- October 23

Activities:

Technical Information:

Topic: The major problems/ frustrations in my work and how I handle it

The biggest problem I have at MusArt is probably troublesome kids. Usually the kids are pretty good but sometimes there are a few that give me issues or sometimes when I have the whole group of campers, it's hard to keep control of the room. When this happens, I just have to remind them that I am in charge. 

Week 8

Entry: #8

Dates: October 2- October 9

Activities:

Technical Information:

Topic: What I have learned about myself and what I want in a career

I have learned that working with kids can be a tough job and only certain people can do it! You have to be a patient and sympathetic person.

Sometimes it's hard for me to be a leader but through this internship I have learned to take charge of a room full of children and teach them or give them instructions. You've got to really show them that you are in charge and if you do that, they'll respect you and do what you say. When my supervisor walks into a room, I can tell that everyone knows who she is and they all behave well.

I hope that in my future jobs I will be able to take what I have learned at MusArt and put it to good use. In my career I hope to contribute some good and use my talents to help others. I want to love what I do and become successful in what ever I do.

Week 7

Entry: #7

Dates: September 21- September 29

Activities:

Technical Information:

Topic: Career/college plans

This job has really opened my eyes to a lot of different things like how the business world works. It has not really changed my plans in what I want to do but music education is something I have always wanted to do and I am going to keep that option open as I decide what I am going to pursue. Right now I want to be a graphic designer. But I also think it would be awesome to give private lessons in Harp or Ukulele as a job. I love kids too. I am thinking about not majoring in harp but doing harp in college and maybe joining an orchestra or something. Another thing I have thought about doing is teaching English in France, and this job has given me experience in teaching that will be valuable if I decide to do that.

Week 6

Entry: #6
Dates: September 8- September 18
Activities: Ukulele, aftercare, carpool, quiet time
Technical Information: Using computer in classes, excel for invoice, tv
Topic: How have my duties changed/ more responsibilities

Reflection: This was a perfect topic for week 6 because the summer is over, I'm back in school, and tracked back into MusArt! I definitely feel like my duties have changed and I have more responsibilities because I have been working for a few months. First of all, my whole schedule has changed because of school! Now on Mondays and Tuesdays I teach Ukulele and do aftercare. I'm also helping with snack times and carpool. On Fridays I am in charge of pretty much all the background action of the recital. I watch all the children and send them out to perform when I need to.

I really feel like since I have more experience I have been given more responsibility. I'm not new anymore and have the hang of things pretty well! I've also been teaching ukulele more on my own now which is pretty cool. For aftercare, I'm usually by myself which can be challenging at times depending on the kids and the number of kids I have.

Week 5

Entry: #5
Dates: July 30- August 7
Activities: Ukulele, Tumbling, Crafts, aftercare
Technical Information: Using computer in classes, Pinterest for craft ideas, excel for invoice
Topic: Main contribution to internship

Reflection: This week will be my last 6 days of work before I go to camp and on vacation for a couple weeks. Then we have a couple weeks of track out before fall track-in starts again! By now I really feel like I've got the hang of things.

I know every teacher at MusArt contributes different things to the company. For me, I bring my own talents and creativity to the table and my preparation for all my classes.

I feel proud when kids choose to play the Ukulele at the recital. Or when I know that my class has made an impact or that they just really enjoyed it. Some kids really enjoy the Ukulele and decide to buy one. Some gymnasts get to practice their skills with me during tumbling class. And I really feel proud when a craft I make is really fun for the kids. But I love when I connect with the children and we all just have a really good time. That's the best.

Here is a picture of one of the crafts I did this week! We made flower leis out of paper and straws!

Week 4

Entry: #4
Dates: July 13- July 28
Activities: Ukulele, Tumbling, Crafts, aftercare, camp songs, snack/carpool
Technical Information: Using computer in classes, Pinterest for craft ideas, excel for invoice
Topic: Meeting expectations/control

Reflection: My expectations for my AOIT internship were getting to learn more about a field I was interested in. My internship has definitely met those expectations. But it has also exceeded them because I thought I was going to have to sit at a computer all day or something. This is definitely not that job! It's very active and interactive and that's what I love about it. I do think I have somewhat control of this because it is the internship I chose but it is also what you make of it. If you make the most of the internship you have you can learn a lot.

I did a lot this week. I got to help out with carpool (when parents pick up kids), watch them during snack time, and sing camp songs with all of them! I only did camp songs a couple times. It was kind of something we just wanted to try out. I also did a lot of aftercare this week with Jennifer! (she was also in AOIT last year and continued the internship) Diana, my boss, wanted me to get a lot of practice in it because she wants me to take over aftercare in the fall! I think I'll be continuing aftercare throughout the school year because it's such a great job.

On the 28th I worked the ENTIRE day. This might be something normal for other AOIT students but working with little kids the entire day is pretty tiring. I did craft classes in the morning, then tumbling classes, then ukulele classes, and then aftercare.

Something really cool I did this week was I taught 2 little Korean girls who don't speak English how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the Ukulele. I consider that a major accomplishment. They were really smart girls!

Week 3

Entry: #3
Dates: June 25- July 10
Activities: Ukulele, Tumbling, Crafts
Technical Information: Using computer in classes, Pinterest for craft ideas, excel for invoice
Topic: Technology/ classroom experience preparation

Reflection: AOIT has prepared me a lot not only for my internship but for so many other things. It has taught me professionalism and presentation skills. I know so much more about technology also that I can put to good use at MusArt. I've learned that I need to dress nicely and present myself professionally in front of my coworkers. It has helped a lot. AOIT interns also help a lot with the general technology things that the business needs help with. For example, music videos are made each week for the kids, the website needs managing, and more. I also keep track of all my hours by making an invoice. I use excel for that, which I learned how to use in Principles of Information Technology freshmen year. I am probably going to be using PowerPoint for some of my classes.

Some other ways I use technology are using the computer and YouTube in classes. My ukulele classes have 12 kids but we only have 6 ukuleles. We have to figure out different ways to entertain the kids who don't have ukulele's at that time. So we usually show videos to the kids that are about the ukulele or people playing the ukulele to inspire them. I also use Pinterest a lot when it comes to finding ideas for crafts. It is a very helpful tool. Another really important aspect of this job is communication. My boss is really awesome about texting and emailing. If I have a problem, I can text her and she'll get back immediately. We have group aftercare texts and I get an email everyday that updates me on the following day of work. That includes who and when is working, the number and names of kids, and allergies or disabilities of the kids we'll have.

There is not really anything I wish I had learned before coming to MusArt. AOIT prepared me for the professional and technological side and my 4 siblings and babysitting have prepared me for the kids. I have taken many art classes and I play 3 instruments so I feel I was pretty qualified for this job.

This week I got to teach tumbling all by myself because my teaching partner couldn't make it! I was nervous because its an active and energetic class and a little harder to keep the kids in control. There was one class that was a little tough but for the most part I think I handled it all well. I also taught a few more crafts this week.

Week 2

Entry: #2
Dates: June 15- June 23
Activities: Ukulele, Tumbling, Aftercare, Crafts
Technical Information: Using computer in classes, Pinterest for craft ideas, excel for invoice
Topic: Work atmosphere

Reflection: My second week at MusArt was awesome. The work atmosphere here is really friendly. But it's also pretty exciting and and energetic with kids running around all day! It can be tough keeping track of 6-12 kids at a time in one class. Everyone I have worked with have been great and there are some lovely kids.

I would say that most decisions are made by my boss, Diana, the managing director. She is so great and always checks up on how I'm doing. Everyone has a say, though, in decisions, and it is not competitive at all. We all have a common goal which is to teach these kids. Everyone's work ethic is amazing and hard-working. I would say the dress code is casual - business casual. I usually wear a nice shirt and jeans or shorts. Sometimes I'll wear a skirt or dress which a lot of people wear also. When I do tumbling, though, I have to wear comfortable clothes that I can move around in.

I taught my first class alone this week! I was needed to sub in for a teacher and I did a craft. Crafts are a little bit hard because you have to find things that kids of all elementary school ages will enjoy. But I think I did a really fun craft that everyone liked. I taught it 4 different times to different groups of kids. (I usually teach 4 classes at a time except for Ukulele- I do 2 at a time for that) I also did tumbling, ukulele a couple times, and aftercare alone this week! I had a few kids and it wasn't too bad. I think I am learning a lot. Tumbling went so well this week. Our plan worked and the kids liked it. We start out stretching. Then we warm up by doing jumps and simple gymnastics skills. After that we move onto the main part of the class where we get the mat or yoga balls out and we decide each week what we are going to do at that time.

This week was great overall and I am getting the hang of things more!

Week 1

Entry: #1
Dates: June 3- June 11
Activities: Ukulele, Tumbling, Aftercare
Technical Information: using computer in classes, excel for invoice
Topic: Purpose of business/organization, my job description

Reflection: My first 5 days at Camp MusArt were great! I learned a lot about how the company works, what it does, and what my roles are as an intern. Camp MusArt is wonderful camp for kids to explore their creative side through music, art, language, movement, improvisation, science, and crafts!! Kids come to this camp all day long and have a variety of activities to enjoy while they are out of school.

When I found out about this company I got so excited because music and art is what I am really passionate about. Each Friday there is a recital when all of the kids get to show the parents what they have learned. The instruments that are taught are Piano, Violin/Viola, Guitar, Cello, and Ukulele! (My favorite) They also learn various art techniques, get to begin learning languages like French, German, and sign language. And a few other miscellaneous stuff like yoga, dance, drama, gardening, and more! We have such an amazing and talented team and I am happy to be a part of it.

Each week I teach Ukulele, Tumbling, and aftercare once in a while. I am also going to get to do crafts when I sub in for other teachers and help out with other things when needed. Aftercare is for the kids who need to stay at camp a little longer because of parents who work or can't pick them up at a certain time.

On my first day, all I had to do was teach Ukulele! I was pretty nervous but that nervousness went away when I got there and everyone was awesome and helpful. When I teach Ukulele I usually work with Aaron, who did his internship for AOIT last year at MusArt! He continues to work here as a teacher. He is sort of my trainer, who is to showing me the ropes of MusArt and showing me how they teach music. The music program teaches with the Suzuki method- something I had not heard of before MusArt. But it is a really interesting method of learning and I love teaching it this way in Ukulele. Coming in, I thought that I would be teaching chords and stuff like that (which is how I learned) but we teach them how to pluck songs before learning how to strum. I think its a very useful way to learn because the kids get to know what each chord means instead of just memorizing them.

My first tumbling class was alright. Unlike Ukulele, it had never been taught before so it really needed to be planned out. After our first class, my partner for this class and I, Desiree, got together to plan what we were going to do each week. We got a really good structure of the class planned and we'll see how our next one goes! I think it will be a lot better and the kids will really enjoy it.

I got to do aftercare this week also and I enjoyed it! There is no class or anything so it's pretty much like babysitting. I'm supposed to keep the kids entertained and play with them. This time, I did it with Elaine. She teaches yoga.

So far my internship has been great and I am so happy to be working here.