To the Youth Fund Sports & Culture Amsterdam page

Amsterdam | September 24, 2024

Master Kevin about the group of backs: "I think they're smart, I can level with them well."

Teacher Kevin (30) started teaching upper-grade classes immediately after completing his teacher training at the teacher training college. He has always taught grades 7 and 8 because he enjoys interacting with these students. Kevin: "They have so many wonderful stories. I can also incorporate many of my own interests into the lessons, such as history and geography."

His greatest motivation is to get the most out of his eighth-grade class: achieving more learning goals and fostering growth, not only academically but also personally. To achieve this, he focuses on various projects where students delve deeper into a specific theme. The latest project was "ancestors unknown”, what It was about your roots: where do you come from? Sometimes from far away, sometimes from close by. Because of the students' diverse backgrounds, these are enjoyable lessons, Kevin explains enthusiastically: Moroccan, Colombian, Mexican, Asian, Nigerian, Turkish, Italian, and Dutch. "By involving the parents as well, it becomes very meaningful."

'Do the Amsterdam Games have an impact on children?'

"Oh, absolutely! The school has been participating for several years with groups 6, 7, and 8. The photos on the parent portal got the teachers of groups 3 and 4 so excited that they're now participating too," says Kevin.

The students are really looking forward to it, and it's not hard to get extra parents to join them as chaperones, he explains. "What the kids mostly talk about are the tricks with the BMX and scooters. That's really impressive and makes them want to try such a sport. They especially love sports they're unfamiliar with or have never had the chance to do before," says Kevin.

He doesn't know whether this will lead to more applications to the Youth Fund, but next school year there will be a dedicated sports teacher for all groups, and they will actively encourage parents to participate in a sports club.

How did you hear about the Youth Fund?

As a teacher, you hear a lot of stories from the children in the schoolyard. One little boy bragged about his achievements at the soccer club, while Kevin knew he wasn't a member. "I talked to him, and it turned out the funding for membership was the problem. Together with a member of the Parent and Child Team and the intermediary, with the parents' approval, we submitted the application." For Kevin, it was his first encounter with the Youth Sports & Culture Fund. "The boy has been playing soccer at the same club as his friends for three years now and tells the most fantastic soccer stories!"

More applications to the Youth Fund in 2025!

At the school, Petra de Bruin, caretaker and jack-of-all-trades, acts as the go-between. She forms a close team with Samantha Caupain, administrative assistant. They know the children and their parents intimately. The school offers many after-school sports and cultural activities, and there's a direct link to the Youth Fund. In the coming school year, they and the sports teacher will be working extra hard to enroll even more students!

All children should be able to participate – say Petra and Samantha