Binit Shah
YOUTH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2015
The Medfield Foundation proudly recognizes Binit Shah as its 2015 Youth Volunteer of the Year for his initiation of the Tech Club at the Medfield Memorial Library.
Other organizations where Binit volunteers:
• Medfield.TV
• MFi Youth Leader program
• Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
For the past four years, Binit has volunteered at the library, first on its Teen Advisory Board to plan and implement programs for teens, and then a year ago Binit initiated the library’s Tech Club, where he teaches the basics of programming, in what has become one of the library’s most popular programs. Binit’s Tech Club inspires about fifteen students from 2nd – 8th grade with his effective, engaging teaching.
“I have been very impressed with the level of knowledge, patience, and maturity that Binit exhibits. He patiently maintains authority and control over fifteen adolescents, and yet provides differentiated instruction for different levels of learners,” said one parent. Binit handles internet failures and “glitches” with aplomb, smoothly switching to alternate teaching modalities. He also shows a high level of preparation before and after class, utilizing both his own YouTube videos and Kahn Academy, to provide recaps and to assign review material for at-home practice and class preparation.
Another parent, herself a teacher, said “Binit is a natural when it comes to teaching. He can really articulate the concepts and provides examples after presenting them. He is always well prepared and offers practice homework packets, videos, websites and other materials.” The materials that he provides in the club are well thought out, and often self created. He also adapts his class to the unique skill levels of each child and makes it easy for them to feel comfortable with and capable of programming. Binit’s teaching method is exciting and he manages a range of ages well.
Binit is a strong role model – friendly and casual, but at the same time mature, professional, and savvy. He models good character, helpful demeanor, and confidence. He also models for the Tech Club kids the use of his intelligence, to provide for their growth, while simultaneously helping them and inspiring them to improve their skills.
At Medfield.TV Binit does camera work, editing projects, field productions, and independent productions. He takes photos for the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Since 2008 the Medfield Foundation has celebrated volunteers suggested by their fellow Medfield residents with the MFi’s Volunteer Awards, and annually named:
- a Youth Volunteer of the Year
- a Volunteer of the Year, and
- awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year all the volunteers will be feted at a reception at 3:00 PM on March 22 at The Center.
Medfield02052's Blog 