One of the vocab words today was "context." I defined it as: the surrounding or related information that helps you understand something; the background information. I inadvertently find out four hours later that my kids don't know what "background" means.
Fucking great.
This is the first time I'm writing in this blog, so I figured I'd give you a little bit of a... context... to what you're reading, so that it alll makes sense from here-on in.
Context:
I just graduated from college last May 2007. Now, I'm living and working in NYC, the city that never sleeps. Most of my friends are in law or investment banking. However, instead of following my peers into the corporate world, I joined Teach for America. Why? I don't know. Kids make me feel awkward. But I did it. And here I am, working as a full-time 4th grade teacher in Harlem at a high-needs public school.
Experience working with kids? None.
Experience in education? None.
'Loves kids?' Certainly not.
Knowledge of the Lattice method of multiplication? You're guess is as good as mine.
Unrelenting passion to 'close the achievement gap?' Maybe a little?
An interesting ride? Most definitely.
Welcome!
- Mystery Me
- I started writing this blog in 2008, toward the end of my first year of teaching. These posts about my experiences as an NYC Department of Education teacher have been (and continue to be) assembled over a period of several years. They don't necessarily need to be read in chronological order, but my very first post, "Context" (March 2008) might be useful as an introduction into this lunacy. While most of my stories highlight the ridiculousness of being a public school teacher, I should note that I love my students and care deeply for them. So as you read, please keep in mind that I do in fact have a soul, as well as a heart; and that heart of mine brims with pride every time I think about my students' talents and breaks with pain every time another one gets screwed by the system.
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