Be the Difference
Written by Eli Matola
Born and raised on the Big Island, Jesse Timmons knows one or two things about giving back to the community. He also recognizes the challenges which the island faces. The lack of teachers, family and personal issues, and need for comprehensive care of the mentally disabled, are all challenges Timmons is familiar with.
He began to do his part in the face of these challenges, however, last year when he took Education 210: Introduction to Teaching. While enrolled, Timmons participated in a 10 hour internship with Kapiolani Elementary School. When his time at the primary school ended, the teachers could not bear to lose the aspiring educator and subsequently, he found himself working as a para-professional tutor.
Photo courtesy of Eli Matola.
Timmons associates part of his success with the University of Hawaii at Hilo, specifically the education course he completed. He asserts that the course allowed him to acquire the skills and knowledge which he needed to be a capable educator. It gave him a solid foundation from which he could demonstrate his ability to participate effectively in a classroom, an ability he owes his tutor position to.
According to the tutor, the best part of the position is “getting immense pleasure every time [he] see[s] a kid get stoked when he learns something new.” He adds, “[Y]ou know it will have a positive effect on the community. We’re molding more intelligent children, caring for their future.”
Kapiolani Elementary School Para-professional tutor Jesse Timmons. Photo courtesy of Eli Matola.
Timmon's advice for anyone considering entering the educational field is to “first … take [the] [I]ntro to education to get a better grip on what you might want to do. [S]econd[], don't join the education field … [for the money]; you have to … [join] … because you love your job, knowing that you’re making a difference. [F]inally[,] … get[] into college [not only] for a degree, but also connections.”
Take it from this reporter (who too completed the education course) and Timmons: If you want to learn more about the education field, enroll in Education 210. A description of the course may be found here while course availability this semester may be located here.
