Melanie Tlaseca Verde — A Place in Time: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Week 2

Hi Familia,
Second week down! Thankfully, I have adjusted to the sleeplessness caused by long work commutes. To pass the time on my way to and from the Cooper Hewitt, I indulge in my University’s summer reading assignment: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. This week at camp, the theme is Fashion! The new set of campers (some returning, most newcomers) focused on designing handbags and preparing for a runway show in which they modeled their creations. 
In terms of my experience as a camp facilitator, I’d say I’ve become more confident with interacting with the campers as a teacher and not an older sister. I am 18 years old. On many occasions, campers have astutely pointed out the designation of “Intern” on my ID badge (that I wear at all times). I recognize that my lack of experience as a teacher / in an educational role puts my authority on a visible, thin line to older campers. However, it wasn’t until midway through the week, when a camper had asked me, “Melanie, have you ever had a boyfriend,” that I recognized why some campers denied the full extent of my authority: I was not drawing a line between work Melanie and social Melanie. Quite frankly, I didn’t know there was a difference until that moment. There needs to be a difference between who I am to the campers and who I am outside of work, for the sake of authority and professionalism.
I applied this concept of dual identities throughout the latter half of the week. I performed the same duties — facilitating design instructions, resolving conflicts, organizing documents and fostering a fun camp environment — but this time, I made sure to not give all of myself to my work. 

Week three, here I come!




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