Multitasking: TF Senior ... and an RA!

by Marina Bonner (senior)

Life is busy for Teaching Fellows seniors. We still have classes, some of us are in our Senior I, and we have jobs as well. Not to mention that, as people ,we need time to spend with friends, family, and just ourselves. Well this is true for me, but I decided to keep one more challenge which I find is helping me as a future educator and that is being a Resident Adviser (RA) on ECU’s campus.

I’m not the only one who falls into this category either. And those of us who are RAs will tell you that it is hard work, but well worth it. Our job is living on campus full time and leading the other residents in our building. We patrol the buildings to watch out for safety concerns, plan programs for our residents (which are very similar to mini lessons/lesson plans), and do bulletin boards. We also have weekly meetings as a whole staff and individual meetings with our boss.

I find that being an RA and a Teaching Fellow means that I am very well informed. I will get campus news from one or both departments so as to better assist the other residents in the building. Also, I find that the strengths in one area assist the other. For example, I have knowledge about what makes good bulletin boards from education classes, and the RA job gives me plenty of opportunity to practice. Life is busy, but interconnected, so I am sure that despite all we have to do… graduation will be here quicker than we think.