On January 18th, sometime around 3:30 pm, I got the most-anticipated email of my life: after a nearly 5 month long application process, I had been accepted into Teach for America. Although I didn't get my first choice placement, I was thrilled. Then, sheer excitement turned into excitement with a little bit of nervousness mixed in- TEXAS?! My apprehensions about trading in my liberal, suburban experience in temperate New Jersey for the southern lifestyle, more conservative social atmosphere, and sweltering summers didn't stop me from accepting my offer to become a TFA Houston '11 corps member.
Now, in this strange in-between phase, I'm spending my days doing a ton of preparatory work for TFA Induction and Institute, getting back into running shape, and enjoying the time that I have left in NJ with family and friends. This week I'll be doing classroom observations at Terrill and Evergreen- ahh! It will definitely be weird to be in a real classroom again with colorful walls, decorated bulletin boards and such rather than large lecture halls or the job ad/study abroad poster-covered walls of college classrooms!
So, I plan to use this blog for 2 main purposes: to record my experience as a teacher/TFA corps member and to detail my first true experience living away from home. I'm going to try to post updates at least once every other day, but definitely a strict minimum of once per week. Hopefully, other TFA/prospective corps members find the teaching part interesting and you guys can keep up with me when I'm a little too busy to catch up in a more personal way!!
