In an attempt to acuretly blog my journey toward becoming a TFA teacher I want to make sure every Sunday I take the time to reflect and write about my experience. The first word that comes to mind today is unprepared. As soon as my thesis was turned in, and I had time to think, the unprepared feeling washed over me. The transition from a university, where  I am one of the top students, to TFA, where everyone is an overachiever, is quite nerve racking. Not only is everyone an overachiever, but I assume we are all blissfully unprepared for the task ahead. Teachforus blogs and institute work here I come!

In two months time I will be starting institute, so for the next two months I want to prepare as much as possible. Everything I read confirms that TFA is unquestionably what I want to be doing for the next two years of my life. Yet the thought of being responsible for someone’s education in two months is terrifying. I feel that if I can just get student’s respect and attention, I can teach them, but is seems like something easier said then done. Getting student’s to invest in education, from where I’m sitting and what I experienced in school, is going to be more than challenging. And I’m scared that hours of lesson planning may not be enough, especially if students don’t even show up. I guess we’ll see! If you have any advice PLEASE let me know.

I am also worried that I won’t be able to get over my negative stereotypes. Not against the students, but against the ivy league CMs. I know that judging them by their background is just as bad as judging a poor performing student based on their background, yet I’m worried that I’m going to  need to work on that basis.

Another thing on my mind is where I am going to be teaching. I know I will be teaching science to either middle or high school in H2 Colorado Springs, but have no clue beyond that. It would be nice to know, but at least I have a guaranteed spot unlike many other Colorado CMs due to education funding uncertainty. Politics is a subject for another day though.

Finally, for graduation presents I am asking for teaching supplies. If you are/have been a teacher/CM please let me know any suggestions for institute and/or my classroom. Thanks!

Hopefully the next blog will have better flow rather than scattered thoughts. Less than two months until Denver Induction!!