Education Students Reflect on Spring Break in the Bronx
December 10, 2024
NYC Shiloh 2024 mission team
In 2024, Morgan Botts, a junior special education major from Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and Bayleigh Pirtle, a junior disability studies major from Hendersonville, Tennessee, participated on a spring break mission team to the Bronx.
ShilohNYC is a Christian nonprofit organization offering community programs that enrich the lives of youth physically, mentally and spiritually. Lipscomb’s mission team worked with Public School 179 to support the teachers, staff and students in their school day and to connect them with the mission of Shiloh to equip New York City at-risk youth and their families with tools that build hope, confidence and the skills to attain their goals.
Botts and Pirtle worked as teacher's assistants in the second-grade inclusion classroom. They aided in classroom management, had the opportunity to lead small groups, play educational games and eat lunch with the students throughout the week.
“Being able to participate in every aspect of my students' day allowed me to build strong relationships with all of them,” said Botts, who enjoyed seeing an urban school setting completely different from the one she grew up in.
“A lot of my students also had experienced trauma,” said Botts. “I learned how to love these children despite not understanding the things they have seen in their community. As a future special education teacher, I value any chance to experience children with different backgrounds and experiences. One moment stood out to me in particular. At recess one day, the wind was blowing and it was cold. Despite the weather, the children played with the leaves that were blowing in the wind. The wind would send the leaves in a spiral and the children would shriek in excitement and run with them. One child even attempted to convince me that she was the one controlling it! Seeing these children have so much fun with the air and the leaves made me realize all that God has given us all we need. They did not need any fancy playground equipment to have the "best time ever" according to some of them. The Lord provides in big ways, even if it is something as small as some wind and leaves."
“My favorite aspect of the trip was getting to connect and build relationships with so many students and faculty members,” said Pirtle. “I was able to broaden my perspective and step outside my comfort zone.
“I felt God so closely on this trip and I saw Him working in the lives of the students around me,” said Pirtle. “I pray for the students I met very frequently and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip.”
Not a Trip
Category: Student Life