Beth Leeper

Senior Project

Memoirs

What were the best and worst parts of Senior Project/Senior Seminar?

- One of the best parts while working on my Senior Project was being able to spend

hours with kids and observe the way they learn in their own way. The most

difficult things about doing a Senior Project would be time management. It was

hard to balance school, work, and my project.

List three things you now know after completing your Senior Project.

-1. All children learn in their own way at the speed they are comfortable at.

2. Time management will always be a struggle that you will have in life, even if

you think you have everything planned out before hand.

3. Being able to work with your mentor can be difficult, but you will be able to

finish your project.

What problems did you encounter, and how did you handle these problems?

- Meeting up with my mentor was a challenge. I called and texted her mostly due to
our time frames never corresponding.
Which aspect of the Senior Project/Senior Seminar stretched you the most? How did
you feel about and react to this challenge?

- Finding the time to do the project was probably the hardest thing about it. Senior
year hits you like a brick the last semester in my opinion. I decided to take days
off of work to get a few hours done.

How has Senior Project/Senior Seminar changed you (skills, attitudes, work habits,
capabilities, confidence, poise, presentation, etc.)?

- After the 15 hours, I believe I have a better understanding on how a child’s brain
learns. Every student is different, they go at their own pace.

What would you do differently if you had to do the whole Senior Project/Senior
Seminar process again?

- I would start my project earlier. I would have tried to get into the Mayo program to
do my original idea.
-

What advice do you have for next year’s seniors?

- Start your project earlier and make time for it. Your senior year goes by
fast, get as much done earlier in the year as you can.

Has this experience influenced your future plans?

- In some ways yes, but this was not the original project that I wanted to do. This
one was a backup, I could not pursue the Mayo Clinic Volunteer due to
confidentiality.

What grade would you give yourself for your Senior Project and what justification
do you have for that grade?

- I would give myself not any lower than a B, I had to start late due to the previous
project not working out. I also learned quite a bit from this project. I had to
communicate with different teachers trying to come in, observe and work with
their class’s.