CAS Reflections
1. Football coach
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
My goal from this experience is to get out of my comfort zone. I’m a very antisocial person with
general anxiety and social anxiety so just being expected to show up and be at a place is very
difficult for me but by doing this I am forcing my self as I don’t like letting people down. I also grew
up in the neighbourhood hood and we never has girl football so I want other girls to have that
experience that I couldn’t. It takes place at TST and every wednesday and some tournaments in
weekends.
Learning Outcomes:
1
Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
3
Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
4
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
5
Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
7
Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Reflection
Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Reflecting Upon this experience, I realize that I have developed many new skills. Throughout
this, experience have gained confidence in speaking to larger crowds, hand holding their
attention. In the beginning of this experience, I let the other trainers show the ropes and I held
myself in the background. Now I can coach the whole lesson alone if the others are sick, and I
am not quiet, I speak and teach. The challenging part is often trying to gain the attention of
15-20 young girls at the same time. And these are girls where friends come first and football, I
am not coaching the next “penile harder” I am helping in creating a second home. A place they
feel safe and a community and friendships. The line between being a friend and coach can be
hard because the focus is not becoming the best footballer in the world but finding this home
feeling. I believe that now after more than a year I have found this line and I therefore find it
easier to speak in public in general. I also noticed the change when I was teaching at OIS a
different CAS experience that this football coaching had taught me so much. Furthermore, I
really love going there every Wednesday and seeing the kids, it is an amazing feeling. The
weekend tournaments are also a part of being a coach, and only one coach goes to the
tournament and 8 kids. This means that I had to have the sole responsibility of 8 kids. This was
a lot, and especially when not all kids had parents that show up. And it is in a different part of
the city, and we have to change clothes. The first time I was out with the kids, I was so
extremely nervous. The parents would be mad that their kid was not playing all the time or the
kids would be cold, and it was very overwhelming. I honestly thought that I would not do
tournaments anymore because I figured the other coaches were better at it. And I did not do the
tournaments for a good while until one of the coaches became sick the day of, and I was the
only one available. I had to step up and even though my kids lost all the games then I was able
to keep the spirit high and I still have not figured out what to do about the parents. The parents
are for sure the scariest part because I'm only 18, and they are full-grown adults and I can't
really say anything against them. I do however still do tournaments because the smile on the
kid's face is enough, and I keep telling myself if I don't, no one will. So I will be the adult these
kids need.
Colabratively
Though out this experience, I made friends and learned so much about working together. In the
beginning I had a bossed named Søren, he was alright. He did not do much in the actual
coaching, more the behind the scene, like taking to parents making sure we have a place to
play and singing us up for tournaments and that kind of practical stuff. Halfway thorough last
year, he decided to quit because I wanted more time with his family. And i how have a new boss
or head coach, her name is maren. She shows up every time and is in very close contact with
us coaches about what is going on. She is not as experienced as he is, but we make it all work.
The real collaboration happens between us coaches. We are three that really help each other.
We know what we each need and each other's strengths. One is not great at getting the
attention and does not like to speak too loud, so me and the other coach help get the attention
on her. I am the “worst” at football and I have never played it myself so when we need to show
how to do something correctly I let them take the lead, and when we have new exercises that is
mostly their ideas as I don't know as much about football. I however show up every time.
Furthermore, I set up the place, make sure everyone is paying attention and understands. We
really compliment each other well. This of course is something we had to learn over time and
now that we finally have it perfect they both are moving away. I have found 2 new coaches to
help, and I now need to work on learning them so we can work optimally together. I however will
really miss the girls when they move and i don't think it will be the same.
Commitment
When I chose to become a coach I was told it was very important to show up everytime. In the
beginning I didn't understand the fact that this was repeated to me so many times. They said the
kids need it. TO me it seemed weird and I did not think the kids would notice if I missed a
practice here or there. However, I have been proven wrong. I showed up everytime, but then got
sick and did not show up for one practice and they all asked the next time why I was not there. I
had not even thought about it and didn't think they would notice but they did it the right way. And
when a coach quits the girls always ask if they did something wrong. I'm a coach in a bit rougher
neighborhood and these girls are so used to adults giving up on them. Their school teachers
and classmates change a lot and nothing is ever really that constant. I didnt even think how they
would feel. I wondered if they cared that I was there because they put on this front. They say
they hate you or that you look weird or that you're bad at football. I noticed they only do this
when they know the coach will stick around. I know not that I can't quit on these girls. It makes
me feel very bad knowing that at some point I will have to, and I will just be one more adult that
did the exact same thing. This experience really has opened my eyes to the importance of
showing up. And showing up everytime. The kids do notice and I think that this is something
more adults need to notice because these kids get let down everytime and that is a horrible way
to grow up.
Plans
Throughout this experience I have had to plan many of the wednesdays. We made a template
early this year and it just changed a little every time.
Ethies
My coaching philosophy underwent a significant shift, moving from a focus solely on
developing football skills to nurturing a sense of community and friendship among the
players. This shift prompted ethical reflections on the priorities of my role. I grappled
with questions like: Is it more crucial to concentrate on producing skilled football
players or on fostering an inclusive and supportive community? This ethical dilemma
made me keenly aware of the impact my decisions had on the experiences of the girls
under my guidance.
Participating in weekend tournaments presented an additional set of ethical challenges.
Acting as the sole responsible adult for a group of eight kids heightened my awareness
of ethical considerations. Ensuring their safety, comfort, and overall well-being became
a primary concern, especially in the absence of parents. The ethical responsibility on my
shoulders became more pronounced in these situations.
Navigating interactions with parents became a delicate ethical tightrope to walk. As an
18-year-old coach interacting with fully grown adults, I grappled with questions
regarding authority and respect. Managing the logistics of the tournament was not the
only challenge; I also had to navigate the expectations and concerns of parents. I
constantly questioned the ethical implications of my decisions, mindful of how they
could impact the children and their parents alike.
2. Football School
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
A Long weekend ( 16-18 september 2022) of teaching and helping as an assistant trainer in football
School. The School takes a lot of planning working together to make the weekend work. The children
were from the area of Tilst and they were from grade 0-5 so very young and needed a lot of structure.
Reflection
All 4 are made
3. Football TEAM
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
The football team in school is to help more students get together and do something fun. I am
recruiting players for the team and I am playing in the match myself. I think this is a good learning
experience and good exercise. In the weeks leading up to the match, we play football once a week.
The idea came from Safa and a gym teacher, and I'm helping in the organization. This happens at
school and the tournament is in a neighboring school. The match is the 28 but we play every
Tuesday leading up to the match.
Reflection
Planning and initiative
The school's girls football team is never advertised, and I only knew about it because I
was friends with Safa and she asked about if the school had a team. The fact that students dont
know that the school has a team is a problem because I personally think the guys ' team is more
advertised, not that it is advertised a lot but more so than the girls. Therefore I started becoming
the girl that always talked about the team. I talked to STX and IB and pre-IB students. The
weeks leading up to the tournament me and Safa with help from a gym teacher held football
practice very tuesday. This helped because students could try football out and see if they were
interested. It also gave an overview of how many people know about the team. It started as 2
students and we ended with 11 players. This is not enough but it was more of a challenge
advertising in the school than I had anticipated. The football practice was a success in my
opinion even though not everyone wanted/could be on the team for the tournament.
4. Ballet
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
Ballet dancing is a very active sport and improving is difficult. The goal of this experience is to
feel better in my own body again. I will be dancing ballet at least once a week, at my old
academy, i will dance on my own and at the academy with my team and my teacher.
Reflection
Strength
It is important to know that I used to dance ballet semi-professionally and had to quit due
to injury and covid. It was very hard getting back to a sport after a long period, my body could
not do the things it used to be able to and I felt really weak. To be honest I quit for a period
because it made me so sad that I had lost so many of my ballet moves. After a brief break I got
back into going to ballet. I realized that I liked the feeling in my body afterwards, when it felt like
I had worked and done something for myself. I feel like not only is my body stronger and more
flexible again, but it also helped my mental health going to a place every week, where I could
just do me. It is something I really enjoy even though it is difficult and can make me fall back into
destructive behavior such as having a bad body image. I however still go and I'm learning
everytime and it can only get better. Learning to accept my body is very difficult but I'm forcing
my self to everytime i put on a leotard. I believe that in the end I will feel better about myself and
I hope that it is something I can keep up with when I quit in marts before the exams start.
Challenge and skills
Dancing helps me overcome my hip injury. In my time dancing as a semi-professional I
got many injuries. The ones that still bother me are my hip and my knee. Through becoming
more flexible I can feel that my hip is doing better. I still have an injury and I still have pain but
I'm able to do more things now. I have been able to get my right leg split and I almost have my
left leg split. My middle split, I'm still working on and I will probably be working on it for the rest
of my life. I did this but stretching everyday ( or almost everyday, I do sometimes forget or don't
have the time) I try to stretch every night before I go to bed. This helps me in other aspects of
my life as well. My knee injury does give me pain everytime i try to run and hurts after every
ballet practice. I have still not found a solution to this, and I just don't run. This might be because
I don't enjoy running and I'm therefore less inclined to learn a new way. This is something I will
be working on. I recognise my faults in not trying to overcome the injury due to my lack of
interest in running, and this is something I will try to improve on in the future.
Tota’s
Daily checklist
5. Sewing club
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
Every 2nd week we meet on mondays to sew and learn new techniques. It takes place in one of the
classrooms at school. Heidi and Rebekka are teaching this course. I want to be pushed to actually
learn how to use my sewing machine.
I've learned a lot of new things during this learning experience, including how to operate a sewing
machine. Heidi and Rebekka patiently guided me as I gradually got comfort operating the machine. I
now know how to smoothly operate it, thread it, and change the stitch settings to make complicated
patterns and designs. I've gained new skills as a result, which not only improves my sewing ability
but also gives me more confidence to take on more difficult sewing tasks in the future.
In order to accommodate these sewing sessions, my ability to efficiently manage my time has also
improved. I've been able to build time management skills that are essential for my own growth and
future endeavours by juggling these sessions with my other commitments, such schooling and
extracurricular activities.
This experience has made it clear how important it is to push oneself and seize new learning
opportunities. It has reaffirmed my conviction that overcoming barriers requires resilience, which
can be developed by moving outside of one's comfort zone and taking on challenges. I'm looking
forward to pushing my limits and improving my sewing and other interests' skills in the future.
I've discovered my strengths, but I've also seen where I need to improve. My skill with a
sewing machine is one area that needs a lot of improvement. I was a little hesitant to
utilise the machine at first in this lesson since I felt a little frightened by it. I'm
determined to overcome this obstacle and gain confidence using a sewing machine,
though. I intend to actively seek advice from Heidi and Rebekka during our sessions in
order to do this, as well as to sew more frequently.
I also understand the value of patience and perseverance in improving my sewing skills.
There have been times when I've been frustrated because I couldn't master a method
the first time, but I realise that learning often entails making mistakes and growing from
them. I want to increase my degree of patience so that I may learn from my mistakes
and keep trying until I've mastered all the different sewing techniques.
In short, my biweekly sewing sessions have shown me where I need to improve as well
as allowing me to explore my abilities. I'm determined to take advantage of these
opportunities for development, especially in terms of improving my sewing machine
skills. I think I'll improve as a sewer and broaden my sewing skills with continued
practise, persistence, and instruction from knowledgeable teachers like Heidi and
Rebekka.
-
Reflection
6. Baking club
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
I joined the baking club because I really enjoy baking but have in recent years not been doing so
much of it. I have had issues with not eating enough which makes it difficult for me to eat in front of
people especially when it is something that contains a lot of calories. I joined part for joy and part to
challenge myself with eating. The baking club is once a month, and the members are from all of IB, it
takes place in the 1 and 2 break.
Reflection
Identify own strength
Baking for others brings me alot of joy and i have really appreciated the
Perseverance
7. Bead art Lisbon
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
Reflection
Hands-On Craftsmanship: The creation of bead art is an activity that requires manual
dexterity and patience. It involves the physical aspect of designing and constructing
artwork, which aligns with the "Activity" component of CAS
8. Winter festival
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
The winter festival is an event the school hosts, and ib students volunteer to help. It consists of
festival grounds and a musical performance. I'm part of the festival ground staff. I'm helping set
everything up and was of assistance to one of the main organizers. This was held on the 24
january. I used many weekends at the school helping plan and set the decoration.
Reflection
Commitment and perseverance
During the planning of the winter festival, many weekends and afternoons were used to
organize. We had to find out where the material was the cheapest and order it in time. We had
to watch the musical many times and do a lot of cleaning. I have been carrying tables, blowing
up balloons, painting, making clouds, and making fun rooms with exciting events happening for
the visitors. I also had to stand and sell slush ice, popcorn, and candy. When we were selling,
we had to put people in charge of different parts to keep the whole thing together. I had to tell
people that they had to do some things even if they did not want to, and I also learned that
some people do not want to take the responsibility they said they would. I had to step up and
clean, while many others were just hanging around, and I had to make up a fun room on the
spot because there was a group that, on the day, said they didn't want to do it any more. I
learned to step up and take on responsibilities that were not mine for the sake of others.
Regonce betteivt of collaborative work
During this experience I learnt the importance of collaborative work.
Overall, this collaborative effort to organize and execute the winter festival not only
brought us together as a team but also provided me with essential life skills. I learned
the value of responsibility, leadership, adaptability, and the willingness to go the extra
mile for the greater good. These experiences will undoubtedly serve me well in future
collaborative endeavors.
9. International day
Description:
What, when, where, who, why? What are the goals of this experience
International day is an event the school hosts. In this event me, Heidi and Weronika will make a
“the real north” booth about iceland and greenland. This is to teach the culture and share
cultures. I'm also a part of the indian dance, where i have helped as well. This all if for the 12
january, which was international day.
Reflection
In addition to our "the real north" booth, I was also part of the Indian dance performance for
International Day. Being involved in this dance was a testament to the beauty of cultural diversity, as
it showcased the vibrant and rhythmic traditions of India. I not only had the privilege of dancing but
also contributed to choreography and coordination, further strengthening the sense of community
and collaboration within the school.
International Day, held on the 12th of January, truly encapsulated the spirit of unity in diversity. It was
a day filled with valuable cultural exchanges, new friendships, and a deep sense of belonging to a
global community. I look forward to future opportunities to celebrate the richness of our world's
cultures and continue promoting the importance of cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
10.
Over the past year in the Food Inspired by Movies Club, I've undertaken a delightful journey of
challenges and skill development. Our weekly or bi-weekly meetups involved crafting menus
inspired by movies, turning each gathering into a unique culinary experience.
so, here's what been going on these past moths in the the Food Movie Club. We
basically set out to watch movies, eat good food, and see what happens. Turns out, it
was a crash course in culinary awesomeness.
The idea was to show we're not afraid of challenges. We picked movies, dug up recipes,
and tried not to burn the house down. It wasn't just about making grub; it was about
leveling up my cooking game. We had never made a whole chicken before and soups
where not madein my house hold so i was learning so much. It when from never even
thinking of trying to roast a whole chicken to doing it. Talk about a glow-up!
Planning these movie-inspired meals wasn't a walk in the park. It needed sooo much
organization. But you know what? It taught me to roll with the punches, be adaptable,
and not freak out when things went south. A burnt cookies just adds character, right?
Now, teamwork has become the secret sauce. Cooking recipes we never had tried
before is no walk in the park especially when neither of you know how to. We became a
mini kitchen squad, each with our superpower. It wasn't just about getting the recipes
right; it was about creating an experience.
And oh boy, the cultural journey we stumbled upon. Bollywood nights, French feasts, you
name it. Each movie night turned into a global adventure, and suddenly, I'm this
accidental expert in cuisines I can't even pronounce.
Looking back on what we started with pizza, and where we are now. It is truely
amazing. I'm looking back at a bunch of food experiments, a ton of laughs, and some
awesome friendships. I just hope the rest of our planed night go aswell.
Being part of the Food & Movies Club has taught me a ton about commitment and
sticking with it. It's not just about cooking up some grub; it's a whole journey of
creativity and teamwork. From digging up recipes to hitting the grocery store, every step
needs some dedication.
And let me tell you, the real persistence kicks in when we're in the kitchen. Trying to
recreate movie dishes throws unexpected curveballs. Whether it's nailing a new cooking
trick or rescuing a dish that's gone a bit wonky, every glitch turns into a chance to show
we're not giving up.
Our regular meetups are a commitment showcase too. Week in, week out, or every other
week, we're here, blending our love for food and movies. Coordinating schedules isn't
always a breeze( especially in ib), but our dedication to this shared experience proves
we're in it for the long haul.
Looking back on this CAS expericene, it's clear the Food & Movies Club isn't just about
tasty dishes and good films. It's injected some serious commitment and never-give-up
spirit into the mix.
11.Teachius at ios
One notable challenge was the dynamics within our teaching group. While I found
myself being the main engine, it became clear that not everyone was pulling their
weight. However, being a football coach turned out to be a game-changer. My
experience in dealing with a variety of personalities and motivating people on the field
surprisingly translated well into teaching kids in general and holding their attention.
The learning outcome was all about demonstrating that challenges were not just faced
but conquered. Juggling a group where not everyone was equally invested pushed me
to develop new skills on the fly. I learned to adapt my teaching style, finding creative
ways to engage the students and keep the energy high.
Working with kids, I discovered that the skills from the football field—patience,
adaptability, and quick thinking—proved handy in the classroom. It was more than just
teaching words; it was about connecting with each student individually, understanding
their needs, and tailoring the lessons to make Danish culture not just a subject but an
enjoyable experience.
Reflecting on this experience, it's clear that challenges weren't roadblocks but stepping
stones. I've come out of this teaching stint not only with a bunch of new skills in my
teaching toolkit but also with a deeper appreciation for the importance of adaptability
and teamwork in overcoming challenges. I also have a new appratation for CAS as i saw
the actual need for it and how it has helped me.
The learning outcome was all about engaging with global issues, and for us, it meant
weaving Danish culture into our games. We weren't just tossing around words; we were
connecting cultures. We shared snippets about Denmark and eagerly listened to stories
about their home countries, creating this cool melting pot of cultures and experiences.
Even though I was pulling the heavy lifting in my group, it was through this engagement
that I saw the power of cultural exchange. Football had taught me how to connect with
different personalities, and that skill came in handy when bridging the gap between
Danish and other cultures in the classroom.
Reflecting on this teaching experience, it's clear that the real learning went beyond
words and games. We weren't just teaching Danish; we were fostering a global mindset,
and learning ourselves just as much as we taught others.
Teaching at IOS, the IB school in Lisbon, was a lesson in rolling with the punches and
adapting on the fly. In our teaching quartet, we were entrusted with wrangling a lively
bunch of 15-20 students. Our mission? Teaching Danish words, infusing some fun
games, and sprinkling in a dose of Danish culture.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. I found myself carrying the weight in my group,
and it turns out my background as a football coach wasn't just for the field – it was my
ticket to connecting with these kids.
We came prepared with a solid plan – games, words, the whole shebang (all thanks to
yours truly, since my group was not actively working). But, you know how plans go. In
between classes, we realized we had to be flexible. Deviating from the plan, making
on-the-spot changes, and reflecting on what worked became our routine.
The learning outcome was all about demonstrating how to kick off and plan a CAS
experience. While my group might have taken an extended coffee break, I dived into the
nitty-gritty of planning – games, words, cultural exchange, the whole nine yards. It
wasn't just about what was on paper; it was about being agile, making adjustments, and
learning from the experience.
Reflecting on this teaching adventure, it's clear that initiation and planning go beyond a
neat schedule. It's about being on your toes, adapting, and knowing when to switch
things up. And hey, being a football choice might have given me a leg up in managing
⚽️📚
the classroom chaos. Here's to more spontaneous lesson plans and the art of
mastering the unexpected!
Now, the plot twist was that I found myself doing the heavy lifting. My background as a
football coach became my secret sauce in handling the lively bunch. Connecting with
these kids felt like a field I knew well.
We came in with a plan—games, words, and a dash of Danish culture. But reality hit
hard, and I ended up doing the lion's share while my group seemed to be on a
permanent coffee break. It was a moment of truth, realizing my strengths and stepping
up where needed.
The key takeaway was learning to roll with it. Plans were crucial, but flexibility was the
unsung hero. In between classes, we tweaked, adjusted, and reflected on what worked,
creating a dynamic, ever-evolving approach.
Reflecting on this teaching stint, it's crystal clear: I identified my strengths in leadership
and adaptability, but also recognized areas for growth. It wasn't just about teaching
words; it was a crash course in personal development.
While collaborating with my group, it became evident that I was the primary contributor.
Initially, it was a bit challenging to balance responsibilities, but my background as a
football coach unexpectedly played a crucial role. The skills I developed in managing
and engaging with a team seemed to seamlessly transfer into the classroom setting.
Knowing how to handle the dynamics of a group, especially with kids, turned out to be a
significant strength.
The interactive games we designed required a balance of fun and educational elements.
Being the driving force in my group, I realized the importance of adapting teaching
strategies to suit the diverse needs of the students. This process allowed me to identify
my strengths in leadership and adaptability, skills that were honed on the football field.
Simultaneously, the experience shed light on areas for growth. Recognizing that I
carried a heavier load within the group, I understood the need to encourage more active
participation from others. Collaboration is not just about individual contributions; it's
about leveraging everyone's strengths.
In retrospect, teaching at IOS was a journey of self-discovery and development. It
underscored the significance of acknowledging strengths while actively working on
areas that need improvement. It's not just about imparting knowledge; it's about
understanding oneself in the context of a team and a learning environment. This CAS
experience has been a valuable stepping stone in my personal and professional growth,
emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptability
