Introduction
My ACLC journey started freshman year, the year I escaped from the miserable life I had before, also known as homeschooling. A week later I came to ACLC, unaware of how unique ACLC was. ACLC isn’t your traditional high school; we have things like Judicial Committee, Constitutional Convention, and many more. The way I was welcomed the first time I walked into school is the main reason why I stayed for all these years. I was greeted with enthusiasm from those who worked in the office and was shown around by someone I now call a friend. Throughout the years, I have made many friends and I can say that these people and I now have a bond that is indescribable. I would have never met these important in my life if I didn’t go to ACLC, and I’m glad I did. It has changed who I interact with socially, helped me to expand and grow in many skills and work habits, and has changed my overall attitude as a person and about school.
Personal Qualities, Work Habits, and Attitude
ACLC’s mission statement states, “the Alameda Community Learning Center is an educational model that empowers all youth to take ownership of their educational experience, to celebrate their diverse community, and to actively participate as members in a democratic society”. I can say that ACLC truly encouraged me to take ownership of my educational experience and empowered me to strive academically. Time management played a key role in how I efficiently completed my assignments. With the help of project periods, I was able to have time between numerous classes to work on future assignments and complete them on time. With the help of Gain Some Knowledge Day, (formerly known as Diversity Day) and JC (Judicial Committee), I was able to not only celebrate the diversity that ACLC holds but actively participate as a member in this democratic environment, which is an important thing at school.
New Basics
Leadership has played a key part to my growth in social and organizational growth, communication, and leadership skills. I first took Leadership my sophomore year where I was quite shy and not confident in my public speaking, but as time went by I became more comfortable. After my first year, I knew I had grown in my skills, but there is always room for improvement. My second year in Leadership expanded how involved I was in the community, being proposal police along with helping out with various fundraisers. Being proposal police allowed myself to see the ideas the community wanted the Leadership class to discuss and used my organizational skill to keep my workspace clean and organized. A big fundraiser that I helped with was Fear Fest; I sold tickets during lunch and on the day of, and helped setup. You might assume that I stopped there, but I didn’t. At the end of the year, there was a junior election to choose the next co-chairs of Leadership for the following year. I am really passionate about Leadership and I really wanted to help learners grow in many skills, like I did, so I created a speech and received the news that I was selected as one of the co-chairs. I can now say that I have grown in various skills and intend to help others do the same.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
Being here at ACLC has helped me express my creative side. Every facilitator, for every class, gives assignments that made me think creatively. While creative writing is an example, there are many more, such as the video I made in Terry’s spanish class, Marina’s mole project in chemistry, or the Hawk video I made with a couple of people and I made for Leadership. These few assignments showcased my creative side and will help me in the future.
Interpersonal Abilities
When I came into ACLC, I was shy and now, I can say that I’m not only confident an open but I gained skills that will come into use for the future. This school taught me how to work as a team and actively participate. Along with working as a team, ACLC taught me how to teach others, whether it was during CCC, a bevy, an internship, etc. I have grown in skills that allows me to communicate or develope ideas by myself or in a group.
Technology
Having computers and printers on hand at all times supported myself throughout the years. I’ve used them for projects, numerous assignments, and even for my college classes. These resources allowed myself to complete any assignments efficiently and helped me through the days where I didn’t know an assignment was due, which I have to say happened quite often. I was able to access the computers and printers in the center quickly and complete the assignment before class. ACLC gives everyone access to computers, laptops, printers, etc. which supports learners who don’t have the resources of their own or want to work during school.
Conclusion
Wow, it’s actually coming to an end. I’m now a senior and soon be graduating in the class of 2019. Throughout the years I've been at ACLC, were the best years of my life, and yes there were some bad days but the good days mask the bad ones. I learned so many things here and grew in various skills, and while my high school life is coming to an end, I can say that I am prepared for the college life I have ahead of me. I have to thank all the facilitators who stayed at ACLC and throughout the years taught me everything I now and will use in the future. I also have to thank my friends who have made a huge impact on my life, and will continue to encourage me, support me, and keep a smile on my face.
My ACLC journey started freshman year, the year I escaped from the miserable life I had before, also known as homeschooling. A week later I came to ACLC, unaware of how unique ACLC was. ACLC isn’t your traditional high school; we have things like Judicial Committee, Constitutional Convention, and many more. The way I was welcomed the first time I walked into school is the main reason why I stayed for all these years. I was greeted with enthusiasm from those who worked in the office and was shown around by someone I now call a friend. Throughout the years, I have made many friends and I can say that these people and I now have a bond that is indescribable. I would have never met these important in my life if I didn’t go to ACLC, and I’m glad I did. It has changed who I interact with socially, helped me to expand and grow in many skills and work habits, and has changed my overall attitude as a person and about school.
Personal Qualities, Work Habits, and Attitude
ACLC’s mission statement states, “the Alameda Community Learning Center is an educational model that empowers all youth to take ownership of their educational experience, to celebrate their diverse community, and to actively participate as members in a democratic society”. I can say that ACLC truly encouraged me to take ownership of my educational experience and empowered me to strive academically. Time management played a key role in how I efficiently completed my assignments. With the help of project periods, I was able to have time between numerous classes to work on future assignments and complete them on time. With the help of Gain Some Knowledge Day, (formerly known as Diversity Day) and JC (Judicial Committee), I was able to not only celebrate the diversity that ACLC holds but actively participate as a member in this democratic environment, which is an important thing at school.
New Basics
Leadership has played a key part to my growth in social and organizational growth, communication, and leadership skills. I first took Leadership my sophomore year where I was quite shy and not confident in my public speaking, but as time went by I became more comfortable. After my first year, I knew I had grown in my skills, but there is always room for improvement. My second year in Leadership expanded how involved I was in the community, being proposal police along with helping out with various fundraisers. Being proposal police allowed myself to see the ideas the community wanted the Leadership class to discuss and used my organizational skill to keep my workspace clean and organized. A big fundraiser that I helped with was Fear Fest; I sold tickets during lunch and on the day of, and helped setup. You might assume that I stopped there, but I didn’t. At the end of the year, there was a junior election to choose the next co-chairs of Leadership for the following year. I am really passionate about Leadership and I really wanted to help learners grow in many skills, like I did, so I created a speech and received the news that I was selected as one of the co-chairs. I can now say that I have grown in various skills and intend to help others do the same.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
Being here at ACLC has helped me express my creative side. Every facilitator, for every class, gives assignments that made me think creatively. While creative writing is an example, there are many more, such as the video I made in Terry’s spanish class, Marina’s mole project in chemistry, or the Hawk video I made with a couple of people and I made for Leadership. These few assignments showcased my creative side and will help me in the future.
Interpersonal Abilities
When I came into ACLC, I was shy and now, I can say that I’m not only confident an open but I gained skills that will come into use for the future. This school taught me how to work as a team and actively participate. Along with working as a team, ACLC taught me how to teach others, whether it was during CCC, a bevy, an internship, etc. I have grown in skills that allows me to communicate or develope ideas by myself or in a group.
Technology
Having computers and printers on hand at all times supported myself throughout the years. I’ve used them for projects, numerous assignments, and even for my college classes. These resources allowed myself to complete any assignments efficiently and helped me through the days where I didn’t know an assignment was due, which I have to say happened quite often. I was able to access the computers and printers in the center quickly and complete the assignment before class. ACLC gives everyone access to computers, laptops, printers, etc. which supports learners who don’t have the resources of their own or want to work during school.
Conclusion
Wow, it’s actually coming to an end. I’m now a senior and soon be graduating in the class of 2019. Throughout the years I've been at ACLC, were the best years of my life, and yes there were some bad days but the good days mask the bad ones. I learned so many things here and grew in various skills, and while my high school life is coming to an end, I can say that I am prepared for the college life I have ahead of me. I have to thank all the facilitators who stayed at ACLC and throughout the years taught me everything I now and will use in the future. I also have to thank my friends who have made a huge impact on my life, and will continue to encourage me, support me, and keep a smile on my face.