Hello World,

   So it has been a few weeks since my first post but a whole lot has happened.  I finished my job at the hospital where I spent my final weeks being a sitter for slightly confused and/or crazy patients as they dreamed of whatever a crazy person dreams of (most likely conversations with past celebrities reminiscent of their "experimental" years).  I even had a very eventful night in which I participated on a Code Blue, which was exciting but something I hope I never have to experience again.

However, my professional career has headed down an entirely new path in which I will attempt to be a Jr. High Science Teacher for Learning For Leadership Charter School in Minneapolis Minnesota for the next two years.  I am participating in an amazing program called Teach For America, and hope to aid in their mission to eliminate the educational achievement gap.

On Tuesday I drove 4.5 hours from Iowa City to St. Paul, MN and began day one of an intense 6 week process in which I learn about TFA's corp values and receive a military style bootcamp on how to become a teacher.  Needless to say this is a recipe for disaster.  However, I am blown away by the amazing individuals that have decided to partake in this journey with me and I am excited to get to know them all better.  The TFA staff was also very welcoming and I am finishing up my first full day of Induction at Hamline University.  I find it sort of ironic that I graduated college with multiple degrees only to return to a college dorm room and fight over showers to get ready in the morning.  And although it may get old with time, I am loving the free cafeteria food and all you can eat.  I haven't had that since freshman year, but I think that means I will probably put on the graduate 15.

The day was spent filled with mission & vision statements and goals for the upcoming year.  But TFA has managed to pepper in some activities with past TFA Alumni that included a happy hour at the Wild Onion and tonight a current TFA corps member is inviting me over to their house and making me dinner.    I am blown away by the kindness and excitement of everyone involved so far.

However, there has been one slight SNAFU and I hope to figure it out.  I originally thought my placement included a masters option along with teaching licensure but I think my undergrad course load and teaching assignment conflict and it might require a full extra year and thousands of dollars of taking classes that I have already taken. (For a degree I don't necessary need but would be nice to have for the amount of work I will be putting in.) Admittedly this is my own fault as I come under the minimum GPA requirement by .01, which prevents me from transferring any undergrad courses to round out my masters degree.  I talked to the admissions counselor and he said I may be able to challenge the ruling, and at least get the classes I scored a B- or better in, which would knock out all of my science related courses.

Overall, most of my anxiety has been put to rest or perhaps I am just to busy to think about them as much.  For now I am just along for the ride and hopefully I manage to find a roommate or two along the way.  In the next coming days I hope to do some apartment hunting and visit my placement school to get a look at my future classroom.  That is all I have for today but I am sure tomorrow's busy schedule will bring some updates.


-KDFW