Wednesday, June 19, 2013

year 1 of teach for america


how is it possible that we have completed year one of teach for america?
{if you don't know what i'm talking about, i did a post on it here last fall, so you can see what it's all about.} i don't write about it a lot on the blog, because a) i want to protect our students and keep their lives private, and b) we have been so consumed by teaching and doing our best for these students of ours that i needed this blog to be a space where i could get a break and write about hobbies and interests, instead of the incredibly difficult but incredibly rewarding job we have been doing for the past year. now that year one is over, i wanted to do a little recap of our experiences! what a year it has been.

here is a video that chase made that highlights our students & our year teaching..

chase taught 7th grade, and i taught high school. it has been amazing to have the chance to be part of this movement together. next year i will finish out my 2nd year of teach for america while completing my master's degree. because of budget cuts in the district chase was teaching in, he will not be returning to the classroom and has accepted a job offer from google (!!!) but more on that later. i am so happy that we have had this life-changing experience. it has been so out of my comfort zone and so different than anything i've ever done, but those types of things are the best things for you! some of the experiences we had were crazy, some were hard, some were frustrating and upsetting, and many were rewarding.


it has been fun to watch chase just get to know his students so well, and he is 
really close with them. they have his number and are always texting him. 

i was lucky to get to coach tennis at the high school, and i will miss my students too! this movement is truly so important, and i hope that in a small way, we have helped bridge part of the massive educational achievement gap this year. here is a slide from one of my students' final presentations at the end of the year: it is an example of their amazing desire, but the lack of skills they have been taught. this is an 11th grader, and although he clearly has the great desire for college and success, you can see how behind he is in english.

we have loved our first year, and can't believe we survived it!
*anyone can email us for more info on teach for america, how to apply, etc.
you can also visit the website at www.teachforamerica.org

XO

12 comments:

  1. I've been waiting for a post like this! So cute, and SO proud of you two. xoxo

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  2. This is something I am ABOSLUTELY going to look into. I have two more years til I have my ELementary Education degree. Do you need a degree to teach? You guys are awesome! :)

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    1. yes you should for sure!!! email me with any questions if you end up deciding to apply!
      you don't need an education degree to teach, but it would be great if you got it and then applied! XOXO

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  3. congrats!!! as a 2009 corps member still in the classroom I am glad you are having such a GREAT experience! :)

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    1. love that! glad to hear you are still in the classroom! you understand the ups & downs of the first year, but we loved it and it feels good to have the first year done! xo

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  4. this is so cool that you guys did this! way to go. i'm sure those kids absolutely loved you :)

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  5. My sister did Teach for America (or something similar) and just loved it. I imagine whichever program it's incredibly fulfilling. I understand keeping work and blogging separate. I try to do the same thing (especially since the school I work for is pretty recognizable) but sometimes the worlds cross.

    Also I wanted to say I enjoy your blog and wish I had more time to read/comment. But I am here and happily following along. :)

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    1. how great that you work in education too! i love yours!! thanks for the nice comment! XO

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  6. Such a great post! You can tell those kids really look up to you both. What great kids!

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  7. I know this is late, but I had to say that I am so proud of both of you for completing your first year - and for weathering budget cuts! Much love to both of you! *also love to see that you are still CCC'ing a bit haha :-)

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    1. Haha love this comment. Miss you SO much! Hope all is well! I start year two next week! XO

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