Today I finished my first official day of Institute. I'm happy to report we all made it out alive. Our brains are a little fried and our clothes are pit-stained, but we made it.
I am so happy to be in Chicago. Just riding on the El last night to Target and watching the sunset over the city was amazing. I am going to be teaching in the city I love and I can't be more excited.
I woke up at 5:25am this morning and shoved breakfast down before heading onto the school bus to take us to our school. The bus was hot and muggy and I was struggling to keep my eyes open, but I was ready for where ever the bus took us.
After driving right in front of Sox stadium (ew) we arrived at the school. We unloaded like a herd of elephants and shuffled into the school. When I walked into the building I about lost it. It's the kind of school that I had always saw myself going. The wall was adorned with faded paintings promoting messages of success. The tile floor was tattered and uneven. We walked into a large auditorium filled with wooden seats. Messages of love and hate were carved into every seat. You could tell there has been so much history in that room and I had to fight back the urge to cry.
It has been really hard for me to fully grasp where I am and what I am about to do. Kind of an out of body experience. Is this really me? Is this really happening? Am I really about to do this? For the past week I have had a constant lump in my throat. I am so excited for what is about to happen not only here in Chicago, but back home in KC. I feel like I finally have a purpose and I am finally going to be put to some good use. The stories of change I have heard over the past week are so inspirational and give me hope for the changes we can make. I haven't broken down yet, but I know it'll happen soon enough. All the stories and the changes we're about to make are all just going to hit me like a ton of bricks.
We were at a session tonight where the founder of TFA spoke to us. I was falling in and out of daydreaming when the speaker talked about the students that we were going to impact. Then I started to think about my 5th graders that I have yet to meet. They are out there right now doing who knows what, and I get the very distinct pleasure of meeting them oh so soon. I cannot wait to meet them and prepare them for there most intense math class yet...
These are all just ramblings of my thought process the past few days, but I just thought I'd share for anyone interested :) Basically I am very excited for this journey ahead. It'll be a challenge, but I am sure the rewards will far out way anything else :)
Off to bed...
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Here we go...
The date is quickly approaching and the big adventure that I have been waiting for, well since November, is about to start. In one week, I will be in Chicago starting a world-win adventure with Teach for America (TFA).
It is so hard to imagine that this is all about to start. I learned about TFA a few years ago and started researching the organization and definitely felt like it was something I wanted to be involved in. I am so fortunate to get the opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest in the country to do our small part to help eradicate the inequalities which plaque out educational system.
The whole experience is so thrilling and completely nerve-wracking at the same time. My stomach is all in knots just preparing myself for the unknown that is about to flood my life, but you know things are coming together. I have only heard good things about the school that I will be teaching at and I know that the support system will be great with lots of TFA alumni in the school. I will have my own big kid apartment complete with shopping five minutes out my doorstep. I am with a guy who means the world to me and every time I am with him I am reminded of how absolutely lucky I am to be in the company of such an amazing person. My best friend is moving back to KC and I cannot wait for more random nights together. My family is wonderful as always and the random humor that we have together always brightens my day.
Honestly, I think the whole TFA experience coming up has helped put things in perspective. I have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Everything is starting to fall into place and I am just in awe of how truly lucky I am to be a part of it all... :)
It is so hard to imagine that this is all about to start. I learned about TFA a few years ago and started researching the organization and definitely felt like it was something I wanted to be involved in. I am so fortunate to get the opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest in the country to do our small part to help eradicate the inequalities which plaque out educational system.
The whole experience is so thrilling and completely nerve-wracking at the same time. My stomach is all in knots just preparing myself for the unknown that is about to flood my life, but you know things are coming together. I have only heard good things about the school that I will be teaching at and I know that the support system will be great with lots of TFA alumni in the school. I will have my own big kid apartment complete with shopping five minutes out my doorstep. I am with a guy who means the world to me and every time I am with him I am reminded of how absolutely lucky I am to be in the company of such an amazing person. My best friend is moving back to KC and I cannot wait for more random nights together. My family is wonderful as always and the random humor that we have together always brightens my day.
Honestly, I think the whole TFA experience coming up has helped put things in perspective. I have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Everything is starting to fall into place and I am just in awe of how truly lucky I am to be a part of it all... :)
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