Evan Rodrigues

5 years. It has been five years since I walked through the center doors, scared out of my mind, but ready for change. I got a little more than I bargained for, but the challenges I have faced and the changes I have experienced have shaped me into the man I am today. For this I am extremely grateful. I went from a self conscious middle schooler, hesitant to be myself, to the pink haired freshman, to JC clerk, and finally, I became co-chair of the leadership class. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for the safe environment that is, was, and will forever be ACLC.

 

 

One of the areas in which ACLC has given me an edge over other teens my age would be my work habits, general attitudes and personal qualities. Had I gone to a different school, I doubt that my teamwork skills would be as good as they are today. Group projects taught me what it’s like to be part of a team, what it’s like to compromise. The small school environment helped me to be more social. You can’t easily avoid speaking at a school of less than 500, so with time I learned how it was done. Through the JC process I learned the importance of integrity and honesty. I have come to realize the importance of telling the truth and being a trustworthy member in a community. I have also learned selflessness and humanity throughout my time at this school. Sure, the 20 hours of community service requirement was hard to fulfill at a young age, nevertheless, as I come to the end of my high school experience and count up all of my hours, the number of 525 volunteer hours (through local and International organizations) seems evident of my growth in this department.

 

ACLC is known for its progressive teaching style, but don’t think that they overlook the basics. My 5 years in the community have fostered growth in the fields of communication, reading, writing, listening, speaking, daily life math, history, and science. I have come a long way as a writer and reader through my required English classes and a creative writing elective. LLC, class presentations and other group presentation activities have helped me become the listener and speaker I am today. Four years of high school math were a challenge, but without them I would surely be at a disadvantage in life. History taught me about the importance of knowing what came before us in order to prevent the mistakes of the past from repeating. I have also grown to love the environment after learning through my science classes about the world and what we need to do to protect it. And finally, I am on my way to becoming a fluent Spanish speaker. Without Spanish with Terry starting in 8th grade, I would have never found my favorite subject in school. After finishing Spanish 3 my sophomore year, I spent 2 months in Panama. Upon my return I was able to take Spanish 1A at the college of Alameda during my junior year. After that, I went to Paraguay for two months and improved my Spanish even more. This year, I skipped Spanish 1B and instead I am taking Spanish 2A. Without the support and encouragement from Isabel, I wouldn’t have challenged the prerequisite and taken the harder Spanish class at Laney.

 

ACLC impacted the quality of the work I do, but it also shaped the way I think. This school gave me the freedom to think creatively. It’s an environment where I feel comfortable sharing original thoughts and ideas. I learned how to learn on my own, and how to get support when I hit barriers. ACLC tries to provide facilitators who can accommodate and plan for a class of multiple intelligences, and because of this I was able to identify the methods that don’t work for me, as well as those on which I can count on. Through the JC and the Leadership class I saw what it was like to think and work in way that flows with the system already in place, but also how to propose changes when I see fit. Through many mistakes made, I learned the importance of making the right decisions at the right times. I know I have grown and matured as a decision maker and as a critical thinker.

 

One of the things that I am most proud of from my time at this school would have to be the ways in which my interpersonal and leadership abilities have grown. I love group projects simply because I love hearing other people’s ideas. I value a diverse group and I enjoy the challenge of making sure everyone’s voices are heard, and seeing an end result that showcases each group member’s abilities is very rewarding. I now feel comfortable teaching and facilitating individuals and groups. Seeing knowledge passed on from myself onto other people is awesome, and hearing what the group has to say in response teaches me invaluable lessons each time I pick up an expo marker. I have held two separate jobs in the customer service industry, and as a result I am well mannered and ready to join the world of employment. My time here has helped me become someone who is easy to work with and opened up my eyes to the importance of teamwork.

 

ACLC wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have tech. Each year I have gotten better at using technology to improve my learning experience. In Danny’s math classes, I learned how to graph equations on Desmos. Having this tool in class made the content easier to understand. In English, we have used tools like Google Docs to help with peer editing. I learned some creative tools my freshman year in digital music, like how to use a computer program to compose a song. My experience with tech at this school has given me a much needed advantage in the modern world of screens.  

 

Nearing the end of my time here at the Alameda Community Learning Center I reflect on how much I have learned. My work habits and personal qualities were cultivated and put to use on the daily. I now have a firm grasp on the new basics such as English, Spanish, Reading and Writing. My thinking and reasoning skills are at or above the level peers my age. Because of the project based learning structure, I can work on a team and thrive in group environments. And, my tech literacy is on par with my peers because of various assignments that required the use of different programs on the computer. Something that went really well for me was my growth in leadership skills and my advanced understanding of the Spanish language. I’d love to continue working towards fluency and also work on my facilitation skills. I am ready for whatever life has instore for me. I will walk out of the doors with an open mind and ready to take on the inevitable changes that will surely catch me by surprise.