My Weekly Reflections
I have been missing in action lately; however, my thoughts continually flow. To make up for the Blogs I've missed this week and possibly next week (as my Teach For America Institute experience comes to a close on 7/30/2005), I have jotted down some of my weekly reflections:
1. What did you expect coming into Teach For America?
I expected to be the difference that I wanted to see. Educational inequalities are a reality of our existence; however, it does not have to be. Therefore, I was committed to contributing opportunities of equity for students. I expected that my mission would be supported and further nurtured by Teach For America. I also expected a new beginning composed of change.
My involvement with Teach For America has been a new beginning: there was always something new to accomplish, encounter, or endeavor... there was always a new lesson to learn and a new concept to teach... Inevitably, there was also always a new student for me to love and appreciate while encouraging them of their greatness. I am learning to not only accept but to also grasp the beauty of change... even when the change is something I had not anticipated or desired. Sometimes, you have to be willing to journey into the unfamiliar and start over new. This is a hard realization: jaunting into an Abysmal Vortex. How could I have known what the TFA institute experiences would have offered? The one thing I know is that everything happens for a reason and at the end of this institute journey is a lesson and experience that has made me stronger, wiser, and more developed and committed to making a difference in our communities. It is a change, a fresh awakening, a new beginning... and deep down, I cannot wait to see what will become of my walk down promoting and providing equal opportunities to education. I am involved and committed to the education movement of Teach For America.
2. What was you biggest challenge with an individual student this summer?
My biggest challenge this summer was motivating and inspiring my students. Much too often in the past, my students were reminded of their flaws, inconsistencies, or perceived inabilities. They were told of their inefficiencies as opposed to being reminding of their abilities to accomplish anything they set their minds too. For years, my students were belittled, discouraged, and criticized. How was I supposed to convince my unique students of their possibilities and individual strengths in three and half weeks? However, as a teacher and a human, I was committed to reminding them and rekindling the greatness and potential of each an every student I taught this summer. It was not easy; in fact, it was an everyday endeavor that paid off in the end when students began to realize that they could do it, that they were smart, and that they were worth it!!!
3. What was you biggest success with an individual student this summer and how did you achieve it?
I was very aware of the existence of an educational achievement gap; however, never could I have fathomed that the reality of this gap effected so many of our youths in such detrimental and devastating ways. My first day of teaching at institute, I was taunted by this achievement gap when one of my brightest students, who will be a ninth grader in the fall, was reading on a primer level. His ability to recognize and spell words was similar to a kindergartner or first grader. However, through weekly one-on-one sessions during Math/Lit Hour, I was able to help my student go from first grade one-syllable words to be able to recognize and spell at least forty-five multi-syllabic, upper-level words. And the eagerness and glow that my student exuded illustrated his joy, triumph, and declaration of his achievement, potential, and hope. This same experience reminded me of the beauty, power, and noble respect that encompass teaching.
4. What will you take with you from institute as you head to your region?
To have the opportunity to live life with a purpose and passion is a blessing. Living your purpose and fulfilling your passion is never guaranteed, nor is it always easy. After enduring institute, I am learning to take the good with the bad. The most important thing that I have realized through constant reflection and my TFA institute experience is that there is always a lesson in every struggle and a blessing in every lesson. I am blessed and honored to be a teacher! Truth: I am blessed to be alive and inspiring others to nurture their fullest potentials; I must strive to make the best out of my life.
5. What is your best memory from the institute?
Institute in itself is a memory that I will always cherish. I have learned so much: about myself, about my students, about Teach for America and its phenomenal staff, and about my fellow corps members who will become the educational leaders of the future. My memory of institute encompasses ups, downs, struggles, and inevitably triumphs. I will forever remember the newfound friendships, the bonds I developed with my students, the late nights lesson planning, the collaborative groups, the ability to function with or without sleep, the support within the TFA community, and the evolution of myself and others as teachers. It was a trying, difficult process… but the end results are ordinary individuals transformed into educational inspirers committed to removing the achievement gap, serving as agents for social change, and lovingly nurturing the youth of today into the leaders of tomorrow.
Additional Comments:
I am following the Teach For America path that was designed for me; however, I am finding ways to adorn and personalize it so that it can truly feel like a path of my own. I am accepting the fact that I will forever be in a constant state of evolution; therefore, I need to ensure that each change is for the better. I am honored to possess the ability to observe myself, my decisions, and my experiences in order to reflect and grow.
I am passionately engaged in Teach For America’s mission and I am dedicated to impacting the lives of and improving the educational experiences of my students.
I have learned that being a teacher is not only about me; being a teacher is mostly about each and every child that I encounter and strive to educate, encourage, and inspire. I am glad to have lived and breathed the beautiful air of Teach For America... it is an experience that will always consume a large part of my heart
I am grateful to be a part of Teach For America’s history... ensuring to contribute to the chapter of educational equality; but remembering to be humble, concerned, and forever committed to the mission.
1. What did you expect coming into Teach For America?
I expected to be the difference that I wanted to see. Educational inequalities are a reality of our existence; however, it does not have to be. Therefore, I was committed to contributing opportunities of equity for students. I expected that my mission would be supported and further nurtured by Teach For America. I also expected a new beginning composed of change.
My involvement with Teach For America has been a new beginning: there was always something new to accomplish, encounter, or endeavor... there was always a new lesson to learn and a new concept to teach... Inevitably, there was also always a new student for me to love and appreciate while encouraging them of their greatness. I am learning to not only accept but to also grasp the beauty of change... even when the change is something I had not anticipated or desired. Sometimes, you have to be willing to journey into the unfamiliar and start over new. This is a hard realization: jaunting into an Abysmal Vortex. How could I have known what the TFA institute experiences would have offered? The one thing I know is that everything happens for a reason and at the end of this institute journey is a lesson and experience that has made me stronger, wiser, and more developed and committed to making a difference in our communities. It is a change, a fresh awakening, a new beginning... and deep down, I cannot wait to see what will become of my walk down promoting and providing equal opportunities to education. I am involved and committed to the education movement of Teach For America.
2. What was you biggest challenge with an individual student this summer?
My biggest challenge this summer was motivating and inspiring my students. Much too often in the past, my students were reminded of their flaws, inconsistencies, or perceived inabilities. They were told of their inefficiencies as opposed to being reminding of their abilities to accomplish anything they set their minds too. For years, my students were belittled, discouraged, and criticized. How was I supposed to convince my unique students of their possibilities and individual strengths in three and half weeks? However, as a teacher and a human, I was committed to reminding them and rekindling the greatness and potential of each an every student I taught this summer. It was not easy; in fact, it was an everyday endeavor that paid off in the end when students began to realize that they could do it, that they were smart, and that they were worth it!!!
3. What was you biggest success with an individual student this summer and how did you achieve it?
I was very aware of the existence of an educational achievement gap; however, never could I have fathomed that the reality of this gap effected so many of our youths in such detrimental and devastating ways. My first day of teaching at institute, I was taunted by this achievement gap when one of my brightest students, who will be a ninth grader in the fall, was reading on a primer level. His ability to recognize and spell words was similar to a kindergartner or first grader. However, through weekly one-on-one sessions during Math/Lit Hour, I was able to help my student go from first grade one-syllable words to be able to recognize and spell at least forty-five multi-syllabic, upper-level words. And the eagerness and glow that my student exuded illustrated his joy, triumph, and declaration of his achievement, potential, and hope. This same experience reminded me of the beauty, power, and noble respect that encompass teaching.
4. What will you take with you from institute as you head to your region?
To have the opportunity to live life with a purpose and passion is a blessing. Living your purpose and fulfilling your passion is never guaranteed, nor is it always easy. After enduring institute, I am learning to take the good with the bad. The most important thing that I have realized through constant reflection and my TFA institute experience is that there is always a lesson in every struggle and a blessing in every lesson. I am blessed and honored to be a teacher! Truth: I am blessed to be alive and inspiring others to nurture their fullest potentials; I must strive to make the best out of my life.
5. What is your best memory from the institute?
Institute in itself is a memory that I will always cherish. I have learned so much: about myself, about my students, about Teach for America and its phenomenal staff, and about my fellow corps members who will become the educational leaders of the future. My memory of institute encompasses ups, downs, struggles, and inevitably triumphs. I will forever remember the newfound friendships, the bonds I developed with my students, the late nights lesson planning, the collaborative groups, the ability to function with or without sleep, the support within the TFA community, and the evolution of myself and others as teachers. It was a trying, difficult process… but the end results are ordinary individuals transformed into educational inspirers committed to removing the achievement gap, serving as agents for social change, and lovingly nurturing the youth of today into the leaders of tomorrow.
Additional Comments:
I am following the Teach For America path that was designed for me; however, I am finding ways to adorn and personalize it so that it can truly feel like a path of my own. I am accepting the fact that I will forever be in a constant state of evolution; therefore, I need to ensure that each change is for the better. I am honored to possess the ability to observe myself, my decisions, and my experiences in order to reflect and grow.
I am passionately engaged in Teach For America’s mission and I am dedicated to impacting the lives of and improving the educational experiences of my students.
I have learned that being a teacher is not only about me; being a teacher is mostly about each and every child that I encounter and strive to educate, encourage, and inspire. I am glad to have lived and breathed the beautiful air of Teach For America... it is an experience that will always consume a large part of my heart
I am grateful to be a part of Teach For America’s history... ensuring to contribute to the chapter of educational equality; but remembering to be humble, concerned, and forever committed to the mission.
posted by Alleviation at 1:03 AM
1 Comments:
thanks for the comments-and yes i remember you.
alii
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