Well, it has been one full week here in Memphis, Tennessee, and I couldn't be happier to call this wonderful community my new home (despite the fact that I have not secured a house yet, we're still looking in the Cooper-Young area!).
I think I need to start with a disclaimer here before I get to the meat of my diary: The diaries that I will be posting about Teach For America (TFA) on Daily Kos in the following two years will not be advocating a political ideology, a political party, or opposing any such parties either. I will not be advocating for many things that I might advocate in other dairies, and therefore political commentary will be lacking in these discussions about public service in America's communities. Whew! Alright now that that is out of the way (and will be posted every time I write to cover my legal grounds)...
It has been quite. the. week.
It all started Sunday night at midnight. Whilst packing I grabbed my flight iteneraries (for some odd, rational reason) and found that my flight was accidentally booked for 7pm instead of 7am, and I had to be in Memphis wayyyyy before 7pm! After waking up my parents (who were oh so happy about that) we decided that my dad and I would take a road trip to Memphis, and that we would stop by my Aunt and Uncle's place in Arkansas for the night. The trip ended up being amazing, as my cousin's 11-month-old daughter (my second cousin then?) was being watched by her grandparents’, and I had yet to meet her. After listening to the same songs played on her toys, each time bringing a smile to her and my faces, I was able to speak to my cousin who is serving in the Air Force in Honduras via Skype, for the first time since he had left. I was also able to visit with my other Uncle and my Grandma before taking off in the Morning for our final leg into Memphis.
Pulling into town we came to Rhodes College, my home for the week. If you have never viewed pictures of Rhodes, it is a must. The history of the college and the architecture is so beautiful it is unbelievable. You can view all this information here.
I was one of the first to arrive, and after parting with my dad, and plugging in the directions back to my Uncles place on the GPS for him, I was now here, Memphis. This week has been jam packed with meeting new friends, teachers, and neighbors. We have been wined and dined, gone out to Beale Street, talked in the lobby of the dorm until far too late in the morning, woken up at ungodly hours of the morning, and learned about the city, our new school district, and the inspiring stories about making educational inequity come to an end in our new corner of the universe.
I cannot explain fully the excitement, joy, and sheer terror that is running through my veins as we prepare to shove off for Institute tomorrow, where we will learn how we will become a part of the solution to one of this nations most prevalent problems: education inequity. Throughout the next two years during my service I hope to post weekly updates about my experience teaching what will be the next doctors, lawyers, teachers, CEO's, and who knows, maybe a Congressman or Senator! I have high expectations for those who will be entering my classroom, and I will be working harder than I have ever worked in my life, to make a difference in others.
So if you'd like to learn a little more about TFA, hear a teacher tell uplifting stories about the youth of our nation/vent, and possibly enjoy some humor as a Midwestern kid takes on the American South, I'd love to have you as an avid reader, and someone who will help me grow as both a person and an educator through your comments!
Have a great weekend y'all!