A Really Good Day in Gallup...

Well, it was a really good day in Gallup. I stated things off with a killer run, which was improved substantially because now I have my hands on some headphones (kindly provided by good friend and fellow '07 New Mexico TFA Corps Member, Erika Lewis from Minneapolis) and can jam to the IPOD while I run. This morning's selection consisted of the Gorillaz' Demon Days. After running and a nice breakfast discussion regarding the Senate's ongoing debate on immigration legislation, we had an informative presentation from a Santa Fe Community College representative, who provided a lively start to our morning. I have elected to go with SFCC for my licensure option (all TFA Corps members must take graduate teaching classes to earn their licensure to teach). It consists of online courses, as well as some run by TFA staff themselves. The ease of online classes, and the reality that, through this path, I will earn my license by the summer of '08 simply represents the best option for me. The alternative routes, with WNMU-Gallup and UNM-Gallup, while offering a more robust selection of courses and in-class interactions with colleagues, require more of a commitment than I want to give right now. I would prefer, instead, to devote as much time to my students as possible, as well as enmeshing myself in the community in other words.

After the session, I traveled with a group of Corps members to the school in which I will teach in the fall, Chuch Rock Academy! We observed a summer school classroom, which consisted of about twelve children ranging from 3rd-5th grades. I was also able to meet with some staff, who welcomed me quite enthusiastically, and I was happy to have the chance to let them know in-person just how excited I was to join their team. I believe, and a lot of the discussions and sessions we've had during Induction confirm, that making a concerted effort to enter into my school with humility and graciousness in a way that counters the all too common portrayal of TFA members as elitist (in truth, this does not happen too often, but the reality that it does occur makes it worthy of being referred to as 'all too often', I think) should represent one of my chief focuses as I set off here. In terms of coming into a new community, one must make extra sure that they are not making judgments or acting in a 'holier-than-thou' type of manner. One must, instead, respect the environment and systematic framework into which they move, noting its shortcomings when present, but always raising concerns in a respectful and tempered manner. In truth, there will be a lot I observe that I want to change, and this is good, but I must go about affecting change in a way that incorporates the traditions and structure of Church Rock.

After observing the class, I had the AWESOME experience of exploring my new classroom! I will be stationed in mobile #22 or 24# (I believe). The mobile I visited was quite roomy, featured a number of globes, which I love, and had a nice big blackboard, used to which I will have to become (and in a hurry- must improve the penmanship, as well!). Thinking that this is the place where I will begin the career; this is the desk from which I will work to expand young minds and, most importantly, show them just how much power they already have within themselves, was nothing short of a hair-raising experience that brought an uncontrollable smile to my face and excitement to my heart. This is real- and being in the classroom and conversing with my colleagues here at Induction has taken this reality to a whole new level. I feel lucky.

The afternoon featured an exploration of our in-class observations from the morning, discussion of some topics we'd like to explore in greater depth at our Institute training, and a panel of current TFA members on issues in New Mexico education. The discussion was beneficial, and the panel especially so. The teachers conveyed to us challenges they'd faced, successes they'd had, and things they'd wished they'd known before coming into the classroom. I left the discussion feeling more prepared to teach. Also, I met a teacher who is from El Paso, and she suggested that we coordinate trips down I-25 during the school-year so that we can more often visit friends and family in El Paso and Las Cruces- awesome!

After the forum and another killer run, we set out as a group for another wonderful dinner of Mexican food, this time at the Ranch Cafe. Good discussion, as so often naturally arises, was the theme of the dinner. I discussed with two friends what had led them to want to teach and where they saw themselves going. One, who is going into special education, offered one of the most passionate recitations of how she wanted to devote her life toward affecting systemic change in the way special education is run in this country. This being a topic with which I am unacceptably unfamiliar, I probed her on this insufficient state. She told me that expectations for special education student is dreadfully low. She described circumstances she has had when her students (she has already spent time in the classroom) achieved results that she would never dream could even be achieved by non-special ed. students. In this regard, she explained, not only should standards for special education students be raised, but the whole manner in which special education is thought about and discussed needs a fundamental shake-up. She hopes to drive this effort, and to her I tip my cap and offer every encouragement.

Returning to the lobby, the hearty, inspired discussion continued, shifting from music, to educational politics, to housing situations, to pets, to books, to bowling, to Dairy Queen, to running, to finding outlets as we become teachers in order to maintain sanity (!), and other topics. At the end of my fourth day here, I stand ready to move further into this new life. Tomorrow afternoon, I and my peers will set off for Houston and five weeks of intensive training. The journey awaiting us there will be challenging, at times frustrating, but, I'm confident, at all times rewarding. I look forward to throwing myself more and more into this new career, in hopes that, in some way, I may make a real, lasting, and positive impact on the lives of a small group of children beginning this fall. As I am coming to see, there are few things more important to shaping a new, more equitable and sustainable world then creating change at this local level. The journey begins for the 2007 NM TFA Corps right now- we are ready.