Teaching

I think it makes the most sense to start with what has really truly inspired me and allowed me to appreciate everything that I do. Teaching! I did not always know that I was going to be a teacher, in fact there were a few times in college that I really doubted it was the right path for me. I went into Boston University School of Ed. because I loved history and figured it was a safe career and I could always change my mind later. At first, my classes taught me to appreciate education in a way I never had before, but they did not ignite any sort of a passion. I fooled around a little with other options; maybe the ritzy "sex and the city" life of PR, maybe some political science, or maybe I could marry rich and stay at home with the kids. However, I decided to stick with education for a little longer and took a class on International Education Policy. This was the first time I fell in love. I began learning about how different countries run education, all the problems that exist because of shitty education systems, and how much trouble the US was in. So you mean I don't just have to be a teacher, and teachers don't just teach kids their ABCs? Holy shit wake up call!!! I became so engrossed in this 2-credit extra class that all my other classes seemed sort of pointless. I found my passion and never looked back since.

Currently, I am teaching at Epiphany Middle School in Dorchester, MA. I found this little piece of heaven when the man who started the school came to speak at SED. I went on a visit and signed up to tutor. That is when I met a 6th grade boy with a fro-mohawk who needed help with reading and math. Coming to see him every Friday became the highlight of my week and I am 100% sure that he taught me way more than I taught him. I learned what it was like to be needed, I learned what it was like to be appreciated, and I learned what it was like to be wanted. This boy went through a lot and there were days when he just wanted to shut down and forget school. But we pushed through together and had so much fun doing it. I found out that pushing a child shows them that you care way more than bringing them candy, I realized that all kids really want is to feel like you care about them, and I had the amazing experience of making a new friend simply by coming and talking about Star Wars when the math homework got boring. I decided during this semester tutoring that I HAD to work at this school and be apart of what it does. This school put everything and more into caring about every single child that attends and never ever stops until each child is as safe and secure as possible. They take inner-city children who are not given any other chances and give them the world.

While teaching at this school I have learned more than I could have ever learned in school. I learned what it means to write a lesson that ensures students are learning and not forgetting. To design a class that engages students and gives them a sense of ownership over their knowledge. To talk to students as if they are people and not just children who are simply told what to do. More than that I learned about how the world works. When I see a student, they are so much more than the person that I see in class. They have such vibrant personalities and sadly often have a lot of baggage. The may be calling out or not participating in class because mom and dad are not around or maybe they can't get the right medical treatment. Sometimes you need to be more of a counselor or big brother then just a teacher. But more often I get to see them be kids, with interests. emotions, jokes, and fooling around.

Working at this school I realized that I love children and want nothing more in the world than to make sure that every child I meet has the opportunity to love life, learn, and be whatever they want to be. Children are beautiful and they can make you see the world in ways you forgot how to. It is their right to stay this way, continue to live, love, and play, and one day grow up and use their amazing talents to change the world. I am so proud to call myself an educator and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with children, preparing them for the world.