August 12, 2024
By Kira Radichel, Pershing Charitable Trust Summer Fellow
Before this internship, I had never heard of City Academy. So finding out I would be placed there for the summer was really exciting. As the first Pershing Fellow at City Academy I had no insight as to what this experience would be. Normally, new experiences make me nervous and scared, as I tend to get in my head and overthink. However, after my first phone call with Joe Bradley (Director of Communications), all of that went away. I started to count down the days until my first day and was getting excited about being with the students.
I attend Harris Stowe State University, and I am working on obtaining my teaching degree in Elementary Education so it was only natural for me to spend my 10 weeks here.
My first day was nothing short of exciting and the tour with Mr. Bradley really sealed the deal for me. Hearing about and seeing the school was nothing short of amazing and motivating. Everything about City Academy aligned with my goals and beliefs as an educator.
I aim to educate and encourage students beyond academics, specifically with emotions. I want my students to learn ways to express themselves and to cope. Children feel more than they are able to express, and I want to bridge that gap for them. I hope to instill that it’s okay to feel emotions and be vulnerable while still being strong.
Being with Ms. Rosario in Junior Kindergarten helped me achieve this. She was a great role model for me and for what kind of teacher I want to be. Spending my summer with the Junior Kindergarteners was a wonderful learning experience — I learned what works in the classroom and what does not. Most importantly, I learned how to build relationships with all of the students.
Seeing everyone bring the words “I can be my best, by doing my best in everything I do” from City Academy’s Pledge to life was truly inspiring. I really saw this ring true during STEAM week.
In Junior Kindergarten we spent a lot of time building structures with various materials. Ms. Rosario and I heard “I can’t do it” or “It keeps falling, can you help me?” a lot, and we saw a lot of them getting frustrated because they felt they kept failing. We kept encouraging them to try and try again until they got it right. When they finally succeeded, the excitement and pure joy on their faces, and in their voices was how I knew City Academy works non stop to bring out the best in themselves and others.
I also had the privilege of being behind the scenes for half of my days, in the Development Office. I worked on various projects — every one of them dedicated to the school and the students. I got to be a part of the non-stop mission, care, and support City Academy has to offer. I have never seen a school care more about how they can support, provide, and bring out the best in their students.
City Academy proved to be more than I could imagine. They provided multiple opportunities for me to continue with them, and never ceased to impress and move me. My experience with City Academy has been one-of-a-kind and I am forever grateful to have been a part of their mission this summer.