My TLG Story: Shannon Russon

I first heard about Teach Learn Grow when I was completing my undergraduate degree at UWA, and my friends who had previously volunteered with the organisation all spoke so highly of their experiences in the rural and remote communities.

Initially, it was hard for me to believe that such a short amount of time in a school could have such a profound impact on both tutors and students, but over the past week, I have witnessed first-hand a sensational amount of growth in the students that participated in our program.

Teach Learn Grow usually caters for students who are below the minimum standard for mathematics, however, our team focused on the other side of the education gap, by tutoring the highest performing students and guiding them through outcomes which were years above their grade level.

Anybody who walked into our learning space would be greeted by the sound of laughter and the looks of the “light bulb” moment which lit up a students’ face as they grasped a new concept. Over the week, I was amazed by the relationships I formed with my students, it was a privilege to see them come into each session with such enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

The TLG experience was so much more than the tuition, as we had the opportunity to engage with the community at a range of events. From assisting with afterschool sports and crafts to participating in the Friday morning dance class, we quickly formed friendships with both the youth and the leaders in the community.

By the end of the week, the feedback I received from the teachers, parents, and students made me realise that you really can have a profound impact on a student in such a short amount of time.