Hello! I’m Sharmee Abuan, a new Learning Mentor (LM) at Hakusanroku Campus. I studied Information Technology in university and spent several years working in the field, doing tasks related to network configuration, data transactions, and system development in the Philippines.

 At Hakusanroku Campus, we hold Learning Sessions (LS) in the evening where students work on their homework, projects, or practice their English. LM are there to help out whenever students need support or guidance. While my main role is during LS time, I also join afternoon classes to observe and get a better idea of how students learn in class. I am hoping to use my IT background to help students figure out solutions to their tasks, when they have computer-related issues or get stuck with online tools. 

 In my first month of working, I have encountered several teachable moments while interacting with other LM’s and students and I hope to share them here. Little moments that make me reflect on what skills I still need to work on to hopefully become an effective LM.

 1. The Communication Trick - The students are currently doing a self-guided reading program that ensures each student is learning at the appropriate level and advancing at their optional pace called SRA during LS and we try to bring up the learned words and content when chatting with them. This, hopefully, would help reinforce their language skills.

 2. I do, We do, You do - One evening during LS, a student came over and asked for help with their Computer Skills homework. As I have observed from what other LM’s do, we sat down together and worked through the task step by step at first. I showed them how it’s done on my laptop so they could follow along. Afterwards, we ask them to do it by themselves and it is always nice to see when they can finally work independently.

 3. Working Together Works - At LS, students also get the chance to help each other. It is amazing to see students sitting together and talking about school. For example, trying to solve that one challenging quiz of the day and learning tips and tricks from each other.

 I learn something new each time I work with the students, especially during the two hours I spend with them in the evening at LS. Little by little, it’s helping me understand how to support them better.

 When I first heard about what LM’s do, the possibilities for growth not only on the students’ side but also for my personal growth made me feel excited. It felt like I’d be learning alongside the students as I support them, and that idea really motivated me. Now that more than a month has passed since the semester started, I’ve seen students gradually open up. The first-year students are still adjusting to their new environment but are becoming more confident, while the second-year students are stepping up and even helping their juniors. 

 Right now, I’m still in the process of adjusting and learning, just like the students. I plan to use this first year to grow by studying many of the subjects they’re learning, especially the computer-related ones, and by observing what makes an effective LM. I hope that by doing so, I can support the students even better in the years to come.

Sharmee Abuan