"By joining Teach for America, I have the ability to change the lives of children living in low-income communities who, in many cases, may not have been given the opportunity to succeed."
Thought it was a pretty good response. In addition to that, I gained access to tfanet.org, which is this awesome website with resources uploaded from other TFA Corps members. They have lesson plans, message boards, career counseling and a host of other things that members can make use of. I'm looking forward to having time to completely go through the site and see everything that they have to offer.
Later in the spring I'll be receiving more information about my pre-institute work, which includes school observations and readings. They estimate that it will equate to about 30 hours of work to be completed over the course of the spring. Hopefully the hours that I already do for Jumpstart can count towards my classroom observation hours. Otherwise, I'll have to schedule even more time into my day.
Later in the spring I'll be receiving more information about my pre-institute work, which includes school observations and readings. They estimate that it will equate to about 30 hours of work to be completed over the course of the spring. Hopefully the hours that I already do for Jumpstart can count towards my classroom observation hours. Otherwise, I'll have to schedule even more time into my day.
What I need to start worrying about now, though, is the Praxis exam. To become a certified teacher I have to pass the Praxis II: English exam. It consists of two parts--content knowledge and pedagogy (teaching styles). I'm not so much concerned about the content knowledge as I am about the pedagogy section. I haven't taken any education classes, which means I'm kind of taking a shot in the dark on this part. I'm going to need to spend a serious amount of time studying over the next 6 weeks. The exam is Saturday, March 13 and that is also the day I was supposed to get back from spring break. My roommate was really understanding, though, and we've changed our schedule so that we'll be back in DC on Thursday night. That will give me all day on Friday to relax/recover and review for the test. We're going to New Orleans for break and we've been there before so that means we can pick and choose what we want to go see. It also means I can take it easy and maybe get some reviewing in at some point in the week. After all, what better place is there to study than on the balcony of your hotel in the middle of the French Quarter, one block from Bourbon Street? I certainly can't think of any.
Officially accepting the TFA offer has kind of made this all a little more real than it already was. I'm beyond excited, because this is something I really wanted and worked hard to get. But now comes the time when I need to start saving for an apartment, furniture and a new car (which my parents have already told me I need to buy/lease). They have suggested I lease a new Honda Civic, but I would rather buy a 2008 or 2009 Ford Escape, which is what I think I will do. I'm hesitant about having to take on all of these different things. Realistically, I know I'll be able to handle them, but it is still slightly intimidating.
One of my friends is applying to the next TFA deadline and, by chance, was going to list Charlotte as her number 2 or 3 choice of places. If she gets it accepted to the Charlotte Corps then we've already decided we're going to get an apartment together. It would make life infinitely less stressful because I know we'd get along really well and she's got a very good chance of being accepted. So (for now) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she's accepted to Charlotte and I don't have to find someone to live with in 5 weeks over the summer. I have no doubt I could do it, but it would certainly help to lower my stress level a bit. And that is definitely a good thing.
Still, I know this is all going to be a great experience (even when it is a little terrifying and intimidating).
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