TFA Graduated!

Last night was the Teach for America Alumni Induction, where all of the corps members in Colorado for 2009 were "officially" announced as alumni. I was very proud to see all of my peers with smiles of triumph and survival and to hear from them and about them about what they are doing next. It was also very rewarding to hear the following things from speakers last night -

"Whether it be teaching middle schoolers Shakespeare and organizing Holocaust speakers, I have been continually impressed by the endless pursuit of these teachers" (my program director about ME!)

"Thank you for being a teacher" - Taggart Hansen, '93 LA corps member living in Denver


While not perfectly organized and myself plagued with a migraine, it was a pleasant sort of "cap" to the end of these past 2 years as a TFA Corps member. I am proud of being a part of this organization that truly has a unique and strong commitment to closing the achievement gap, and has helped me transition from being a student to being a teacher. As my dad as pointed out, all of the things I am doing are a part of my "body of work" that I am collecting and pursuing as a young adult with a developing career. I am grateful for this experience and how it has truly prepared me for probably any other challenge that awaits me.


2 more weeks of being a special educator at RBN! This week I am mostly wrapping things up with my curriculum, showing my students their grades, giving them last chances to make up missing work, give feedback, tie lose ends. This week is intense of rehearsals for the talent show, then next week is jam-packed with activities, including the talent show, 8th grade graduation, and the field trip to Six Flags again.

I have been pursuing responsibility in many ways, firstly completing TFA, completing the year, but also I found an apartment for next year in the neighborhood I live now, which I love. I also made a decision to continue working for about 4 weeks in June before I move, working at my school at Denver Camp and teaching a 2 week theater class and then going to a conference for art teachers. I am trying to continue my running, though the end of the year makes teachers tired, especially after long days after school with soccer and talent show obligations. But trying to stick with consistent healthy and responsible habits has been on the forefront, and I think I am doing okay.

Lots of people leaving as well, lots of good bye parties and celebrations coming up. May is a busy month!

Peace -C