Self-assessment
HONR 120

Throughout this semester as a Learning Assistant for HONR 120, I did my best to meet the expectations of the role, especially when it came to my baby bears. I consistently attended their class sessions and only missed two, one of which was also due to not having access to a car. Even when transportation was difficult, I tried to find ways to still show up, including getting rides into town when I could. I communicated regularly by email, checked in with them about upcoming assignments, and tried to model what it looks like to be prepared and present in an Honors course.

I also put a lot of effort into being approachable and available. Early in the semester, I gave my baby bears my phone number so they could reach out if they ever needed help or just had questions about college life. I hosted a few events outside of class, and I was really happy that most of them showed up. Those moments outside the classroom helped build trust and community, and they allowed me to support them in a more relaxed setting. I provided feedback on their work when I could and tried to be honest while still being encouraging.

In terms of my own growth, I developed a stronger sense of responsibility as both a student and a member of the Honors community. I learned how to balance being a peer and being a mentor, which is not always easy. One of the most significant areas of growth for me was learning how to support students emotionally as well as academically. When one of my baby bears lost a close family member, I had to really step up in terms of empathy, flexibility, and communication. I checked in with them, made sure they knew the options and resources available, and did what I could to help them feel supported rather than overwhelmed.

At the same time, I want to be honest about where I fell short. I missed a lot of the LA seminar meetings this semester, mainly because I did not have a car and transportation was a serious barrier. Even though I did not physically attend many of those sessions, I always reviewed the slides and materials posted on Canvas so I could stay up to date and show up prepared on Tuesdays. Still, I know that being in the room matters, both for my own learning and for contributing to the LA community, and I recognize that I dropped the ball there.

Considering all of this, a final grade of B minus best represents my performance and growth this semester. I put a lot of effort into supporting my baby bears, and I am confident that most of them would vouch for how present, kind, and helpful I tried to be. I showed consistency in my engagement with them, took initiative in planning outside events, and made sure I was available most hours of the day when they needed something. At the same time, my lack of attendance at the LA seminar is a real weakness that I do not want to ignore. A B minus is an honest balance between the strong effort I put into my students and the ways I could have shown up better for the LA side of the course. This was a tough semester for me overall, and I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on what went well and what I can improve moving forward.