Reflective Essay
Personal Qualities, Work Habits, and Attitudes
It’s hard to think of the person I would be today if I had gone to a school that wasn’t ACLC. Its unique structure helped me transform from a young, very helpless sixth grader to the organized and independent learner I am today. I would have never gotten the chance to learn how to manage my time and work if I was never exposed to ACLC’s nonuniform ethics, like free periods and project-based learning. Every learner is more responsible for their education here, therefore I have been able to learn through all of my choices and mistakes throughout my time attending. It’s a strange thing to have children as young as eleven take part of, but once you’ve gone through the process for six years, you’re grateful to have it under your belt. I am proud to be able to demonstrate the lifeskills that have grown stronger over the years that I’ve been at ACLC, and I know I’m much better prepared for my future with this new confidence.
New Basics
Being an ACLC learner means you have to be willing and ready to take everything to the next level. Each class demonstrates a one-of-a-kind curriculum and creates you more prepared for the future and real-life situations. ACLC allows learners to go above and beyond with everything we do and pushes us to our limits. It’s not only the learning style we take advantage of, but also the availability of having honors classes. I have been able to take HP English, US History, Biology, and Government. Having close bonds with my facilitators has also allowed me to become more comfortable asking questions and try my hardest. Another factor that separates ACLC learners from other students is the chance to take classes at the local community colleges. It is actually made a requirement to take three units at one of the colleges in order to graduate this school. Because of this, I have been able to broaden my horizons and get a head start before going off to college. I have taken statistics and astronomy at the Peralta colleges and I am very grateful to be able to get a taste of what I will be taking part of for the next four years.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
Something ACLC takes pride in is project-based learning. We often stray away from the textbooks to allow more hands-on and interactive learning. This technique has really helped me become better working with others and improved my communication skills and my reasoning skills greatly. Taking part in group projects and similar activities puts learners in situations where you have to discuss, understand, and compromise. It can be really difficult trying to work out problems with people who have different views or don’t follow through with their part, but by using creativity and problem-solving skills, the finished product is almost always very rewarding. Doing big projects also requires visualization and creative thinking. To make your vision a reality, it requires prior planning and evaluation, and a lot of thinking it through. Setting goals and assigning roles to certain members in group projects is a huge aspect and I always make sure to never leave any important steps out. These are only a few key points you learn to adapt to over the years at ACLC, and I don’t think I would get the same out of my education if I didn’t attend this school.
Interpersonal Abilities
I have definitely become more comfortable with working with others while completing these projects that greatly require teamwork and communication. Whether it’s a huge project that takes weeks to finish or just a simple poster/powerpoint, team members always have to depend on their group to get the job done. My reluctance to being a leader has definitely lessened over the years and I have gotten much better at voicing my thoughts. These skills have translated over into other activities, including being a teacher’s assistant. Being a co-editor of the school newspaper, I have to be familiar with collaboration, otherwise my job would be made much more difficult. Building up my confidence and ability to speak has allowed me to take on jobs like tutoring and babysitting. Knowing I am capable of accomplishing things like this makes me more comfortable and allows me to keep growing.
Technology
One of the greatest perks of being an ACLC student is having access to a variety of technology. No, it’s not the most reliable and top-notch selection, but having a center lined with computers available to every learner is a great addition. It’s especially helpful for those who don’t have the tools needed to get certain things done. It allows me to get a head-start on my work during my free time at school since homework these days is becoming more and more technology-based. Having a majority of my school work revolving around computers has caused me to become much more tech-savvy. I’m always the person my parents go to when they need help navigating on the computer. The endless information on the internet assists me in research and becoming more knowledgeable on almost any subject. Having years of practice with documents and spreadsheets and powerpoints is something that definitely comes into everyday use.
It’s hard to think of the person I would be today if I had gone to a school that wasn’t ACLC. Its unique structure helped me transform from a young, very helpless sixth grader to the organized and independent learner I am today. I would have never gotten the chance to learn how to manage my time and work if I was never exposed to ACLC’s nonuniform ethics, like free periods and project-based learning. Every learner is more responsible for their education here, therefore I have been able to learn through all of my choices and mistakes throughout my time attending. It’s a strange thing to have children as young as eleven take part of, but once you’ve gone through the process for six years, you’re grateful to have it under your belt. I am proud to be able to demonstrate the lifeskills that have grown stronger over the years that I’ve been at ACLC, and I know I’m much better prepared for my future with this new confidence.
New Basics
Being an ACLC learner means you have to be willing and ready to take everything to the next level. Each class demonstrates a one-of-a-kind curriculum and creates you more prepared for the future and real-life situations. ACLC allows learners to go above and beyond with everything we do and pushes us to our limits. It’s not only the learning style we take advantage of, but also the availability of having honors classes. I have been able to take HP English, US History, Biology, and Government. Having close bonds with my facilitators has also allowed me to become more comfortable asking questions and try my hardest. Another factor that separates ACLC learners from other students is the chance to take classes at the local community colleges. It is actually made a requirement to take three units at one of the colleges in order to graduate this school. Because of this, I have been able to broaden my horizons and get a head start before going off to college. I have taken statistics and astronomy at the Peralta colleges and I am very grateful to be able to get a taste of what I will be taking part of for the next four years.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
Something ACLC takes pride in is project-based learning. We often stray away from the textbooks to allow more hands-on and interactive learning. This technique has really helped me become better working with others and improved my communication skills and my reasoning skills greatly. Taking part in group projects and similar activities puts learners in situations where you have to discuss, understand, and compromise. It can be really difficult trying to work out problems with people who have different views or don’t follow through with their part, but by using creativity and problem-solving skills, the finished product is almost always very rewarding. Doing big projects also requires visualization and creative thinking. To make your vision a reality, it requires prior planning and evaluation, and a lot of thinking it through. Setting goals and assigning roles to certain members in group projects is a huge aspect and I always make sure to never leave any important steps out. These are only a few key points you learn to adapt to over the years at ACLC, and I don’t think I would get the same out of my education if I didn’t attend this school.
Interpersonal Abilities
I have definitely become more comfortable with working with others while completing these projects that greatly require teamwork and communication. Whether it’s a huge project that takes weeks to finish or just a simple poster/powerpoint, team members always have to depend on their group to get the job done. My reluctance to being a leader has definitely lessened over the years and I have gotten much better at voicing my thoughts. These skills have translated over into other activities, including being a teacher’s assistant. Being a co-editor of the school newspaper, I have to be familiar with collaboration, otherwise my job would be made much more difficult. Building up my confidence and ability to speak has allowed me to take on jobs like tutoring and babysitting. Knowing I am capable of accomplishing things like this makes me more comfortable and allows me to keep growing.
Technology
One of the greatest perks of being an ACLC student is having access to a variety of technology. No, it’s not the most reliable and top-notch selection, but having a center lined with computers available to every learner is a great addition. It’s especially helpful for those who don’t have the tools needed to get certain things done. It allows me to get a head-start on my work during my free time at school since homework these days is becoming more and more technology-based. Having a majority of my school work revolving around computers has caused me to become much more tech-savvy. I’m always the person my parents go to when they need help navigating on the computer. The endless information on the internet assists me in research and becoming more knowledgeable on almost any subject. Having years of practice with documents and spreadsheets and powerpoints is something that definitely comes into everyday use.