On April 19th, 2026, the AYLUS Roslyn Branch volunteered at the Chinese Cultural Association of Long Island (CCALI) from 1:30-5:00 PM. Volunteers worked as teaching assistants (TAs), providing instruction to the students while aiding teachers’ curricula.
To start the day, we settled students as they arrived: helping unpack, greeting parents, and settling disputes when conflict arose. The TA’s primary role is to ensure the safety of the students; we printed activity sheets, escorted students to the bathroom, collected homework, etc. Class proceeded smoothly under our aid, and nothing notable occurred.
Towards the latter half of the day, students engaged in more cultural activities (ie, arts and crafts, martial arts, etc.), and we, the TAs, successfully facilitated this transition from classes. Following the cultural classes, we helped organize dismissal, ensuring every kid left school safely. We helped students pick up their belongings, confirm their parents’/guardians’ presence, and clean their workspace before leaving.
Overall, volunteers acting as TAs relieved CCALI teachers’ workloads significantly, enabling them to more effectively teach their lessons. On a more personal level, taking on the role of TA allowed volunteers to gain precious experience working with individuals across a generational gap. This project also furthered our insight into the lives of educators, contributing not only to our patience but also to our compassion for the younger generation.
Reporter: Henry Li
Members who volunteered: Sofia Chen (3.5 hours), Jasmine Lin (3.5 hours), Kayden Cheng (3.5 hours), Henry Li (3.5 hours), Abigail Zhao (3.5 hours), Ethan Liu (3.5 hours), Jenny Chen (3.5 hours), Shinree Zhang (3.5 hours), and Chloe Chen (3.5 hours)