tfa origins

I've been in Clarkston since Friday, and it's been really nice to have a break and to spend some quality time with my parents. I hadn't been home more than a few hours, when my dad returned from a quick library visit with One Day, All Children...: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach For America and What I learned Along the Way by Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach For America. I hadn't even known she'd written a book... 

Reading her book made me even more excited about working to end educational inequity. She discussed having the idea in 1989 for TFA while a 22 year-old Princeton senior and the difficulty of beginning the funding and support for such an organization. She discussed the years it almost ended and how within a decade it had grown to become such a financially stable and successful organization. She discussed having celebrities participate in a Teach For America Day. She had individuals like Henry Kissinger, Oprah and the managing editor of Time participate. She discussed her meeting with President Clinton the night the US began bombing Kosovo. Her experience and passion are contagious.

Ultimately, I appreciated her words on what constitutes good teaching:

It's not magic. These teachers set clear goals for their students, motivate people (in this case students and their families) to work hard toward the goals, do whatever it takes to accomplish them, and build a positive culture within their classrooms to support their efforts.

She's written another book, A Chance to Make History: What Works and What Doesn't in Providing an Excellent Education for All. I'll have to read it next quarter in my attempt to provide a quality education to my students at WWVA.

teach for america

Today I had my interview with Teach For America. I think it went really well. And I'm hopeful I'll get a position...

For those unaware of Teach For America, it was founded in 1990 by Wendy Kopp. The goal: reduce the achievement gap. Children growing up in wealthier homes attend wealthier schools which usually employ better teachers. This widens the gap even further, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. The organization has since grown and there are around forty regions where they have a presence. Their demand is growing each year and they will be looking to place (it's a conduit organization working with the local schools themselves) over 8,000 teachers. The demand to be involved is also growing as they only hire on average 12% of applicants. I've made it to the final round, but I'm up against some pretty amazing people too. Still, I remain confident.

Whether they offer me a position or not, it's reinforced in me the notion of the importance of quality education, working to truly reduce the achievement gap. I'll take this with me wherever I go.

We as a nation need to be very committed to ending the achievement gap. This is only possible with increased parent involvement, community outreach, volunteering, quality instruction, etc. Teach For America is proving each day that this is possible. Lets expand their efforts.

Oh, and you should visit their website... it's pretty awesome...
Teach For America

three cups of tea

Today, I went to the Patisserie for a 3-hour reading session from Three Cups of Tea. The book made me even more passionate about education, especially with my interview with Teach For America coming up. While the achievement gap is stunning in the United States, we at least have schools. What Greg Mortenson is doing to provide education to the most remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan is amazing. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. I finished my essay but not the book... spring break project indeed...

The advice given Mortenson by his Pakistani mentor was profound in his dealings with Pakistan. "The first time you share tea with a Balti you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die" (150). This concept is amazing, even standing alone. However, I think it has profound implications for us in the United States. We desperately need to slow down. We need to build relationships. And, like Mortenson, we need to need to be willing to take chances, acting on what we believe to be right.

On a separate note, I enjoyed being a fly on the wall as a mother sat with her two young sons, I'm guessing aged 4 and 6. The youngest was excitedly telling his mother how he'd helped his friend Jonny tie his shoe earlier and how his friend had thanked him. He was so proud and boldly stated "I'll never forget this." And he beamed. Oh, for the simple life.

noel

It seems hardly fair for me to write about Noel. I hardly knew him. My experience with him was limited to a Sabbath afternoon hike to Pike's Peak 3 weeks ago, watching the NPUC Basketball tournament and cheering for Auburn because Lizzy said we should, along with occasional 3-minute chats in the library. We joked that we should be friends because our parents were friends. But now I'll never get the opportunity to develop that friendship.

I'm working right now at the Circulation Desk in the library and he studied here a lot. I just keep expecting to see him walk through the door and give him a quick wave...

Earlier this morning, I went to the broadcast of his memorial service. Hearing all of the stories (girls' basketball journal entries and "the eye is the groin of the face") were inspiring. They told of a great man, taken too soon from us. They make me ask why... but more importantly they make me excited to hang out with him someday (when I'll be lucky enough to get a turn...) in Heaven.

Noel, you are missed. You and your family are in the prayers of my entire family, the WWU Community and everyone who knew you. Thanks for being my friend for a week and a half.