Hello! I will be moving to Detroit this summer to begin a journey of a lifetime - learning how to teach, getting inspired and empowered, and being the best teacher I can be to amazing children I will be able to call my students. What is this incredible journey and opportunity I speak of? It's Teach for America in Detroit!! Here's a little background on the start of this journey . . .
Starting in the summer of 2012, I began a PhD application process which was intense and demanding and led me to lose my social life, haha. It began on July 17, 2012, when I met with a Professor whose class changed my life. He believed in me and encouraged me to pursue doctoral studies. This began the deep 6-month process of applying, and in the third month of this journey, I received an email from a Teach for America recruiter. To it, I honestly responded:
Thank you for reaching out to me. I am currently applying to graduate schools to attend in Fall of 2013 after I graduate from UCSD. I would be happy to consider Teach For America as another option for my life if I am not satisfied with my acceptances. However, I don't know if the acceptance process for Teach for America would fall in line with when I hear back from schools (around February). Have you talked to students in similar situations before?
My honest response shared how focused I was on my goal, and though it was an open step to consider something else, it was a step out of my comfort zone to meet with the person who would change my life.
On Thursday, October 4, 2012, I met with Jimmy and shared basically myself with him. He made me feel like I was perfect for teaching and TFA, and my brain set on tracks of new horizons. I walked away from that meeting feeling what I wasn't expecting to feel. I felt EMPOWERED. FULFILLED. RESONATING with what TFA had to offer me. I went straight to a computer and emailed two mentors, telling them of my interest in the program and asking for their advice. One told me to follow my gut! The other encouraged me to really think about it.
Well, the application process began and I didn't let it get to me. I actually enjoyed it! My final interview was on Saturday, December 8, 2012, and I'd hear back by January 7th. In that month, I finished up graduate school applications and told myself that no matter what happened with TFA, I wouldn't take the offer. I told myself I am going to graduate school or moving to New York. TFA did not become an option.
Then, January 7th, we would hear back from Teach for America. I was in my office on the computer and decided to casually check the TFA website in case they put up the news on my personal account before emailing me. Well, there it was right in front of!! "Congratulations on your offer!" Well. That was a quick and unexpected shock! I quickly filled out what was needed to take me to the next page and BOOM! Up came the news of where I would be placed and my grade level - - -
DETROIT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In that moment, I think my heart went wild. I felt within me so profoundly that this was the path I was meant to take...
I couldn't handle the tension of the news so I walked to a campus garden and aired out, thinking of the implications of the decision. I called my mom and talked to her about it. She encouraged me that if I felt it was right, to take it. I texted about 40 friends and told them I am going to move to Detroit. Then, I accepted the offer (within two hours) and put it on Facebook.
Then, on Friday, May 10, 2013, I flew to Detroit, rented a car, drove around the city, and met with a friend and had lunch and gardened. Saturday, May 11, I went to TFA Detroit's Interview and Hiring Day. It was an incredible day and at my second interview, I got an offer to teach first grade.
Now, it's June 10 and I am a week away from Induction in Detroit. Then, June 23, Institute in Chicago begins! I am excited :-)
Pictures along the journey so far . . .
-Jess
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