On May 18, we volunteered from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM as teacher assistants at the Chinese Cultural Association of Long Island’s Chinese school. Our role was to assist both students and teachers throughout the day to help ensure that classes ran efficiently and smoothly.
We began by warmly welcoming students as they arrived, helping them feel comfortable and prepared for the afternoon. One of our first tasks was to check that students had completed their homework from the previous week, which encouraged accountability and helped them stay on track with their studies. That day was especially important because students were taking their final exams, and we provided support by helping distribute materials, answering simple questions, and maintaining a quiet, focused testing environment. This allowed teachers to concentrate on administering the exams without distraction. Because a parent meeting was also being held at 2:00 PM, we made sure to present ourselves professionally and respectfully throughout the day.
During break time, students who had earned coupons—either through good behavior or as a reward from parents—were allowed to exchange them for snacks. We helped supervise this process, ensuring the line moved smoothly and fairly, and that students followed the rules. Once break ended, we returned to our classrooms and continued supporting the teachers and students as needed.
In the later part of the day, students attended their culture classes. Since this was the final session of the cultural courses, many of the classes had a more relaxed, end-of-term tone. Some teachers used this time to wrap up with casual activities like watching movies. As a result, some TAs were not needed in every classroom, but we remained available to help wherever necessary. The cultural classes included Calligraphy, Art 1 and 2, Gym, Yoga, and others, giving students the opportunity to enjoy creative and physical expression in a calm setting.
At dismissal, we made sure all students safely reunited with their parents and kept an eye on those waiting to be picked up. This final responsibility was especially important in maintaining a safe and orderly end to the day.
Volunteering that afternoon was a meaningful experience. We were able to ease the workload for teachers and offer valuable support to students. Seeing the students smile and engage in their learning—and hearing appreciation from the staff—made our efforts feel worthwhile. We’re excited to continue volunteering in the future and contributing to such a supportive learning community.
Participating Members:
Emma Wei (2.5 hrs); Sofia Chen (3.5 hrs); Jasmine Lin (3.5 hrs); Joy Zou (3.5 hrs); Simon Long (3.5 hrs); Jinrui Lei (3.5 hrs);Hunter Chen (3.5 hrs); Lyann Lin (2.5 hrs)
Reporter: Emma Wei
