1st Year Personal Reflection

I am re-inspired. More on why later, but here are some thoughts that are busting out of my mind and I need to get them out somewhere.

I was conversing with a friend about my life experiences, and how I have felt like I always go "with the grain." I grew up doing what I was told, going to good schools, and trying to fit in. I was always looking for who I was vs. who I wanted to be. If you go with the grain, you are not an individual, just what someone or something thinks you should be.

I think that the first significant thing that I have done to go "against the grain" is also the thing that has helped me define who I am: teaching high school in East Oakland. All three of those things are not looked highly upon by much of society. Yes I get the "good for you" or "wow you are doing something great" but most of those same people are also thinking, "she could have done something better with her life."

Although TFA is a somewhat trendy and attractive organization for young people right now, the concept of being an extremely privileged person going into situations that I can obviously choose not to do, is extremely against the grain. I don't know exactly when I began to feel so strongly about my work, but just the mere fact that I can leave my situation, makes me want to stay. And stay longer. It feels great to finally push back and swim upstream.

So I want to thank that friend for challenging me and showing me that it's okay to go against the grain with my image, with my profession, and my passions. I'm in a really good place right now, and I hope it carries over until the beginning of next year when I really need it.



Coming Soon: More on my amazing experiences as an TFA Induction Coordinator!



-Kel

PS Here are some more closing thoughts after speaking with an experienced teacher.
Thoughts on teaching: 1st year. complete. 2nd year. omg we have to do this again. 3rd year. why isn't this getting easier. 4th year. damn I"m old. Etc. Etc. I am excited to see how long I can last in this profession before it eats me alive.