Jesuit Volunteer Corps

alumni feature, international service

Teaching, A Two Way Rhythm of Give and Take

By Michela Bryne

(Peru 2005-07)

JVC staff visit to Peru (2011)

I WAS INSPIRED TO MAKE EDUCATION MY FULL TIME CAREER through my two years serving as an international JV in Tacna, Peru. Though challenging, I found teaching to have a beautiful two way rhythm of give and take. I loved trying to tailor lessons to students who were struggling and I was inspired by students who took information I gave them and were hungry for more.

When in Peru, many students I taught lived without running water or electricity, some were eager to learn English and some were not. As much as I was initially confounded by how to teach, I began to be delighted by their varied personalities and willingness to teach me about themselves, their families, their culture and their country.

Now, my students in the US come from various backgrounds and poverty here looks different. Poverty here is two families crammed into a small apartment, it’s having to move schools when the rent runs out, it’s having to stay home from school to take care of your little sister so an adult can go to work. I love that teaching puts me in touch with students from all different backgrounds, allows me to know experiences that are different from my own in a personal way and gives me a direct opportunity to help.

I wouldn’t have considered teaching as a profession had I not been a JV. JVC’s international program gave me the confidence that I had something to offer students and continues to be both a foundation and a hope spring for what I do now.

READ MORE

  • Photo by Brianna Santellan on Unsplash

    alumni feature, vocational journey, ministry

    "It was in Detroit I learned that we worship a God who gets her hands dirty, who cries over the injustice of the world, who gets angry when we torture each other the ways we do."

    Learn more

  • volunteer stories, education

    "Now, probably more than ever, organizations are relying on Jesuit Volunteers. Of course, there are some JVs that are still going into work. Those of us who work at schools are not, but are working tirelessly to continue to communicate with students, families, and co-workers, and we are having to be creative in our approaches."

    Learn More About Teaching as a JV Online During COVID-19
  • Jesuit Volunteer Albuquerque JV House 2019-20

    volunteer stories

    "My community has become a fellowship potent in the fight for justice and a hopeful model for living in relationship with others. More than anything I’ve accomplished as a Jesuit Volunteer, I’m proud of what my community has become."

    Learn more about the power of living in relationship with others
  • Courtney Child (Milwaukee 2019-20)

    simple living, volunteer stories

    "“Playing poor” seems to minimize the challenges of poverty and dilute simple living into a show, where I “play” a certain part. Articulating the difference between intentional simple living and “playing poor” as a yearlong volunteer proved incredibly challenging."

    Learn more about living simply as a Jesuit Volunteer
  • Note from homie at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles to a current Jesuit Volunteer (2019).

    domestic service, volunteer stories

    "Embarking on a yearlong journey that was completely new, there were naturally many uncertainties as we began. One of the only things that it felt like I knew as this year of service began was that it would not come again. No matter what it held -- highs and lows, growth and challenges -- it was all unique to this JV experience."

    Learn more about Caitlin's reminder to remain present while at Homeboy Industries