Overwhelming is an understatement for the rigorous training TFA is putting us through. I never worked this hard in college! Over the course of the week, I thought about the jobs I turned down that paid better; I thought about how I felt like I was thrown into a lion's den when I first walked into my classroom; and I thought about suburban private schools that are the fortunate, upper level of the achievement gap. Even though I feel totally inadequate and unprepared, I still go to school each day. I show up. I try. I think I'm making a difference.
The little things keep me going. I laugh a lot, otherwise I would cry. This is why I Teach for America:
- I found my student's YouTube channel where he videotapes himself rapping. He writes his rapper name on all of his papers.
- "You talk funny. Why do you say 'y'all'?" "I'm from Texas. I have a different dialect than you." "Oh, so the way you sound funny to me, I sound funny to you?" My students are so insightful.
- My colleague makes our students grammatically correct their sentences on the whiteboard, like... "Miz Adams don make it rain wit dem billz," to "Miss Adams is going to make it rain with the dollar bills." They reply with, "It hurts to have those words in my mouth!"
I'm here for a reason. I'm here because I care. I think I can. I think I can.
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| Most of all, THIS is why I Teach For America |
Susan, we're all so proud of you! You've shown amazing courage and risk in everything you do and I know your genuine spirit and personality will shine through it your teaching. You have so much to offer those kids, and you'll learn so much about yourself along the way. I think about you from time to time in my classes as I learn so much about myself through grad school, so I'll leave you with some simple social work words of wisdom from my Groups professor, "Trust the process".
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Bonnie
Thank you thank you, Bonnie! Your words mean so much to me. I hope you can visit me at some point :) Miss you and Texas.
DeleteSusan, you shine so brightly, that those kids are better off just by knowing who you are -- just like I am. You're going to be an amazing influence on those beautiful children, and I have every faith in you, every day. You are in my heart these next few days. I'm only a 2 hour train ride away, my dear; let me know if you need some T4K love!
ReplyDeleteAudrey, thank you. I will fake believing in those words until it actually starts happening. Fake it until you make it?
DeleteI want to come see you as as soon as I have free time. And you always have a place to stay in the city. Boesy's coming up for Lolla!
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI'm SO proud of you! You're making such a difference in their lives. They're so lucky to have you.
Can't wait to see you!
Love,
Mary Kate
MK, thank you! You're the best! I can't wait to see you too! As soon as 5pm hits on Friday, I'm 100% yours!
DeleteLove you to pieces!
Hey girl!
ReplyDeleteRan across your post on your Facebook feed-- that is so awesome that you are doing TFA! Are you by any chance in a KIPP school? KIPP is nationwide network of public charter schools in low-income, urban areas whose mission is to close the achievement gap and see underprivileged kiddos to and through college. I teach 5th grade science at KIPP Coastal Village. There are many, many TFA fellows in KIPP, including my own--so I had to check.
Keep smiling. Be flexible. Love your students. Pray for your students. Eat lunch with them now again--it means the world to them. Believe you're making a difference... Because you are. Cry when you need to. Wear cool shoes. Don't skip Happy Hour. :) You'll come out of the lion's den alive. Maybe even more alive than when you first were thrown in.
Megan,
DeleteI know KIPP and think they're doing amazing things. Great to hear that you're apart of the KIPP network; I had no idea! I'll start working for a charter school network that's exclusively in Chicago in August. Thank you for the words of advice! I truly appreciate them.
You're a lioness!
ReplyDeleteI know this is you, Mahek.
DeleteI don't know how you are able to function the next day from staying up this late... I'd be a worthless zombie if I did this. I guess it must be nice to be young again.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. I promise you it will get much easier with time. You have a lot of people praying and pulling for you.
Thank you, Mike! I always appreciate the prayers.
DeleteSusan,Hi,you are so awesome, after where you've been and done you're on the gravy train,lol. You're from TEXAS, so ya'll's proper,lol. Just use what they know to build on, if they can rap, they can write rap too. Sitting there looking at you and too you may be the next Washington Carver or Obama or Snoop Dogg,lol. I was a kid like that in SF and thank God there was some one there that took an interest and cared enough to do what you're doin. Should you need an ear, nite or day there's one here, and we are all praying for you an those kids. 806 881 3863 Max
ReplyDeleteThank you, Max! My kids and I need the prayers badly! They are smart and able, but don't realize it in themselves. I think that's my biggest challenge.
DeleteCheese,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a champion. I can't imagine how hard it must be - especially that first day - but what would you be without adventure? I can't imagine a life for you where you are playing it safe. That's what makes you who you are!! We need to talk about Lolla - that would be right before I leave for India and I want to come.
"what would you be without adventure? I can't imagine a life for you where you are playing it safe. That's what makes you who you are!!"
DeleteI love you, Mere; more than you know. Thank you. I can't imagine a life without adventure just like you can't imagine a life without creativity!! I'm so thankful and proud to call you one of my closest friends. And I can't wait to get you up here!!!!!!!!
Wow Susan! This is touching! You have so much strength and courage! Children need to share witness to people like you, the education system, and really the world... Stay strong and God bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks for you words of encouragement, Amanda! I'm so happy I ran into you last month. It was great catching up!
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