Senior Natalie Craig is an aide at MES for Ms. Gowin, 4th grade teacher and Ms. McNeil, 3rd grade teacher. Ms. Gowin said, "Natalie always comes in with a smile and ready to help. My students love to work with her. She has learned how to work with students at all levels. When she doesn’t understand a worksheet, she asks me to explain before trying to help the students, so she’s doing it correctly. I can always count on her to help and do anything that I need help with in my classroom."
Natalie said she is going to attend Ivy Tech next fall to become a radiologic technologist and go back for the CT and MRI modality.
Natalie expressed joy in her work with MES students: "It has helped me get more comfortable working with kids. I am a CNA and mainly work with geriatrics, but It has been a good opportunity to learn how to communicate with kids because as a Rad Tech I will work with all ages of people! The kids are always so excited to see me and always have so much to tell me. They always know that they can ask me to read with them or help them with homework, and they seem to enjoy my help.
Natalie added that this experience as an aide as been beneficial and she would encourage others to give it a try: "it has been such a great experience. I enjoy getting to be a positive influence on these kids' lives. Not only do you get to help as an aide but it gives you great experience depending on how you apply it. If you want to be a teacher, you get to feel out what that might be like. In my case, I want to go the health care route, so It has taught me a lot about how to communicate with children."
Ms. McNeil noted Natalie's contributions to her classroom: "one of the most positive aspects of having a high school student working with us is the enthusiasm and energy they bring to the classroom. The younger students absolutely love her presence, and it truly brightens their day. She has a natural rapport with them, which fosters a supportive learning environment. In terms of skills, she is gaining valuable experience in collaboration and teamwork. Learning how to work with diverse groups is essential for future careers, and she is developing strong interpersonal skills that will serve her well in any professional setting. Overall, her contributions have been incredibly beneficial, and I believe this experience will positively impact both her and our students for years to come."
Thank you Natalie for helping the MES students!