Adi S – St. Timothy’s School – CA Work Experience Program

St. Timothy’s Day 8 last day Adi Solomon

Today was the last day of WEP, and I for one, am sad to leave my hosting school of St. Timothy’s. I have gotten so close with the students and staff alike, exemplified by two experiences I had on this final day. One of the admission’s faculty, Mrs., Mitchell, who I had become close with over the two weeks, had asked me the previous week about my Jewish prayer practice. I explained that one of the most integral parts of my prayer practice, and Judaism as a whole, is gratefulness. Every morning, the first prayer one is supposed to recite in the modeh ani. Unlike most prayers, this prayer does not first talk about thanking god, but starts with 3 ever important words: I am grateful. After hearing of my practice, both Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Mitchell told me the following day that in the morning, they had also shown gratitude by simply being grateful for being alive. In fact, Mrs. Mitchell asked me to scan my siddur (prayer book) page for the prayer so she could keep a copy of it to remember me, and the power of gratefulness. As for the kids, the last few moments of my time at St. Timothy’s can be summed up in one word: group hug. As I walked to my car, crossing the playground, the 7th and 6th grade boys who I had gotten so close with over the past two weeks swarmed me in a big group hug. “do you really have to go!?” I’m gonna miss your magic tricks” “I’m gonna miss you” “You better follow me back on Instagram” and many other heart warming comments rang out as I attempted to escape the friends I so unfortunately had to leave. Say what you want, but yo can bet that during 8th grade graduation next year, you will see me at St. Timothy’s ready to greet and congratulate these boys with the same energy and enthusiasm they showed me thorughout these past two weeks. The amount of learning, friendship, faith, connection, and genuinely kind and compassionate people I met over these past two weeks is truly astounding. I want to once again thank Mrs. Baird, St. Timothy’s, and all of the staff and students for being so kind and welcoming to me over these past few weeks. Like Mrs. Baird said as I left, “Don’t be a stranger, you have a home at St. Timothy’s anytime”. Love, Adi

Day 7 St. Timothy’s Adi Solomon

Today was my second to last day at St. Timothy’s, and I got to see and participate in many end of the year activities. The two I will talk about were the last chapel service of the year and the end of year awards ceremony. Just like in the past week, I was able to read the scripture for the service (in this case a portion of the torah), and help in the structure of the service. Along with this, the end of year ceremony allowed me, and everybody else, to participate through cheering on peers and classmates. Many awards were given out for a wide variety of classes and achievements, but what I loved most was the immense cheering and applause everyone was offered. Today was a great day of closure as the end of the year is near. I feel so lucky to have had this experience and feel a sense of bitter sweetness approaching my last day tomorrow.

Day 6 St. Timothy’s Adi Solomon

Today, I had 3 experiences that all culminated in the idea of character development in the lower and middle school. The first one happened with the Lower School Counselor Beth Barnard. With the class, we were asking questions regarding courage. One kid came up and was asked a question about self control. He answered with this: one time self control is hard and important is when someone is being bullying to you. Even though you might want to bully them back you have to control yourself and stay calm. This level of knowledge, coming from a person of such a young age impressed me, and I loved it! Later that day, I talked with SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) and Middle School teacher, Mr. Coleman. Mr. Coleman is the head of the Middle School at St. Timothy’s, and while we talked he mentioned that middle school is a time of transition. This is so true, and I saw it for myself later that afternoon. During a class with SEL teacher Mrs. Savage, I saw several kids at the back of the class playing with a Rubik’s cube. Me being a cuber and puzzle nerd myself, I quickly asked to have the cube and I quickly solved it (because I’m just that cool) (I know). After this, I told that that cubing was so cool. The kids froze, and then one of them said, no one has ever told us that we’re cool. This really struck me. In middle school, just like Mr. Coleman told me, we are learning about who we are and we also ask big questions like who am I and who do I want to be. The privelige of being a role model, both inside and outside the classroom, is an intangibly valuable experience.

St. Timothy’s Day 5 Adi Solomon

Today, I met with Mrs. Behrens, the head of the lower school at St. Timothy’s (grades pre k-4th). Throughout our talk, and talks with other teachers, I have notices a pattern between many of the teachers. Almost ever teacher at St. Timothy’s has kids that attend the school, other family members that recommended the school to them, or actually attended the school themselves when they were younger. This to me is a testament to the incredible sense of community that St. Timothy’s school has! This is a place where people consistently find a sense of home and belonging, for both kids and adults.

Day 4 St. Tim’s Adi Solomon

Wraps from my tefillin from my Jewish prayer practice

Me praying while wearing a tallit (Jewish Prayer Shall)

The garden next to the church where I pray each day

Yesterday, I was able to not just witness, but actively take a part in the first Church service of my life. Throughout my time at St. Timothy, I have learned much and tried to share much as well. Whether that means going into religious classes and answering questions about Judaism, learning about the Episcopal Church and different tradition, or even trying to explain my prayer practice to faculty, I feel very comfortable in this space. This includes praying during the day, asking personal questions about other’s belief, and even becoming part of the service by reading from the torah. I have felt so warm and welcomed here, and have nothing but thanks to this community for being so genuinely curious and inclusive.

Day 3 St. Timothy’s Adi Solomon

If I had to some up my thought of the day in a sentence, it would be this. Teachers do so much more than just teach. Of course teachers teach their classes, but that is just the tip of the iceberg, especially when it comes to middle and lower school teachers. When assigned carpool duty, I did my best to entertain the kids until their parents arrived. Magic tricks, high five games, show and tell: I was pulling out all the stops. For myself and the teachers, you are just as much a role model and source of entertainment and even some what a parent just as you are a traditional school teacher. Realizing this, teachers not only do so much more than just teach, but they actively enrich and enlighten every single day for students and faculty a like. Whether it be snacks and traditions in the teachers lounge that I have seen, or cooperation and a willingness to always do what you can, how you can, and when you can to aid other faculty members, teachers do so so so so much amazing work both in and outside of the classroom.

St. Timothy’s Day 2 Adi Solomon

Today was just as exciting as the last. Along with helping out with lower school and middle school recess, which was very fun and enjoyable, I also worked with Reverend Britany. I greatly enjoyed the time we spent seeing the church, learning out the episcopal traditions, and discussing my role in the upcoming chapel service. Funny enough, they are actually doing a unit on Judaism in school, and because of this, I will be bringing my tallit and tefillin into school tomorrow to show to the kids. This interfaith learning and experience is so beautiful and fun because we can all learn so much from each other.

The church and prayer space at St. Timothy’s

Day 1 at St. Timothy’s Adi Solomon

Today was my very first day interning/shadowing at St. Timothy’s. From the moment I arrived until the moment I left, I felt very very welcome at the school. Throughout the day, I befriended and talked to many of the middle and lower school students there. One moment that stands out is when I was talking to students about their literature class during a break time. Despite the fact that they were in 7th grade, they were reading a holocaust book known as night, by Ellie Wiesel. Crazy enough, I not only the know the sadness of the story, but am actually related to Ellie as well. Their knowledge, respect, and understanding on the topic was outstanding, I felt very proud to represent my people and be in the presence of such respectful learners. My plan for my St. Timothy’s WEP experience revolves around my love of relationships, religion, medicine, and counseling. I will shadow a guidance counsel, reverends, and a nurse to have a greater understanding of how and why they do what they do. As always, I feel very grateful and lucky to have this oppurtunity and to be so graciously hosted by St. Timothy’s.