PS Critique and Feedback - Really tired of looking at it & willing to SWAP! Forum

[SHLJOHN]

So what do you do after graduating from college with student loans up to your ears? AmeriCorps. I joined AmeriCorps immediately out of college. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my career but I figured a year doing volunteer work would help me not be lazy during while making my decision. I stumbled upon the AmeriCorps program, City Year and started in the fall of 2013. I was stationed at an elementary school in South Los Angeles, not far from where I grew up, to tutor and mentor students for the next 10 months. I was ready. This was going to be easy. I entered with that mindset but left with a whole new one.
First, I learned to sacrifice time. I arrived early during the first week of BTA. Well, it was 8:00 am but that early to me. BTA was basic training academy, which sounded a little military for my taste but it served the organizational goal of serving in unity with open hearts and open minds. After learning the organizational purpose and goals we were sent by teams to our respective schools and given more detail on our daily duties. My team and I were to report to school everyday at 7:15 am and leave no earlier than 5:30 pm. "7:15 AM ARE YOU SERIOUS?", I thought to myself, this is crazy but I agreed to serve my students, so 7:15 am it is. We served 50 hours a week, from before school started to after the students were picked up from out after school program. Fifty or more hours a week is what my finance professor told me I should expect to work in the finance world but, not tutoring elementary students. However, the students enjoyed and cherished all the time we spent with them. We greeted them coming into school and we waited with them as their parents came to pick them up, During school hours we planned intervention sessions to teach our students foundational skills in English and Math. I never paid that much attention to time. It seemed every minute had to be delegated in order to achieve my goals. I planned when to get up to make to school on time. I planned every session plan with time in mind because I couldn't take my students from direct instruction with their teacher for more than an hour at a time. I ended the year with over 1700 service hours volunteering and gained a deeper understanding of "time is of the essence".
Next, I learned the importance of teamwork. I served on a team of ten. We were taught that without a strong team as a foundation, the year would be extremely draining. We had to stand strong for our students and for each other. During our after school hours, the team was broken into smaller teams for each room. I was teamed my teammate, Daphne. Daphne was light-hearted and wore her emotions on her selves. I was pretty much the opposite. The students assigned to our room were full and energy and at times through the year a bit much to handle. It would take a strong, united team to direct our students, but our leadership styles were different and it showed. Daphne cried in the front of the students when she became frustrated with them. I was a bit more lax and they didn't frustrate me as much, however the students noticed the division and used it to their advantage on occasion. I decided to sit down with Daphne and discuss what was working and not working for our after school room. We came to a compromise on several things but we also made a commitment to support each other especially through our rough days with students. It changed our after school room for the better. We still had rough days, but we supported each other through them.
Finally, I learned what it meant to advocate. My students became the reason I got up so early to come to school each day. I don't have any kids of my own but as soon as I stepped on campus they were mine. I loved those kids. I would encourage them to do well in class and they would encourage me to play kickball at recess. One student, Erin was so funny but lacked discipline in the classroom. His mom had four children under the age of 10 and she struggle to give him the attention he needed. It was a battle with him throughout the year but I kept telling him he could do it, no matter what is was- fractions or reading a chapter book. I supported him. I remember having meetings with his teacher about his progress because she thought she would have to make him repeat the 5th grade. I didn't want that to happen so I talk to his teacher almost everyday about the small and large victories during our tutoring sessions. I must have been the 2nd proudest person in the room, after his mom, when he graduated in June of 2014. Not only did he graduate but he also received an award for the most improved student in his class during graduation. He might have been one of my biggest stressors that year but he taught how to hold on, stand up, and advocate for what I believe in.
In retrospect, this year of service was not as easy as I thought would be but not too hard either. It was unexpected. It was long and complicated at times but rewarding. I didn't think I could grow that much in one year. I gained knowledge that year that can be definitely be used in the field of law. As an attorney, I believe my clients will cherish someone who advocates on their behalf, values their time, and understands that we work as a team.

[SHLJOHN]

I'm a fun and light-hearted person. I'm few with words so i want to keep my PS simple. I want another person's perspective.