May 7, 2006
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Topic: NYC Teaching Fellows
OK…I feel it’s now appropriate to announce that starting this fall, I will begin a new job as a NYC school teacher. This week I got word that I have been accepted to the NYC teaching fellows, a program that places first time teachers in high need schools. Over the next two years, I will have loads of content to write about as I find myself back in school, teaching special ed and taking graduate education classes in the summer and evenings during the school year.
How do I feel about this? I feel excited. This despite the mixed reactions others have shared with me about the experience of working in some of these schools. While I appreciate stories and advice, this program will be good for me once it’s underway. It feels a bit scary, but only when my imagination gets the better of me.
For example, I just watched Blackboard Jungle (while sitting in bed on my new Dell laptop, finally gaining the perks of the digital age at home). The movie takes place in the 1950s I believe, and depicts the dangers of working in a large public school. The behaviors of the students in the movie almost made me want to quit, it really might as well have been a prison movie, things were that out of control.
But, life has treated me best when I’ve taken on things that scare me a bit. Plus, working with kids brings out a different Dan that doesn’t come out very often, and brings with it a heightened level of creativity, responsibility, childishness, dedication, and empathy.
I am expecting to have a couple of weeks between my current job and summer training, and I am trying to plan something to do with that time. One idea is to do go off into the wilderness somewhere, or perhaps just some remote and quaint little town, where I can pretend live for a week like a local. I am hoping to spend my days reading, asking taking only books recommended to me by others as their favorites. Not sure where I want to go yet, could go way out east on Long Island, somewhere more New Englandy perhaps.
Also, I’ve been asked by people if I plan on moving out of my home. I’ve had a few people, namely girls, comment how they don’t look to kindly on my living at home with my parents. The funny thing is, except for those comments, the experience has been nothing but a positive one for me. I know the moment I get my own place, I’ll grow immensely from the independence and added responsibility, but I have had a great opportunity to grow closer to my parents, and whatever trade-off that has meant on my social life, I think has been worth it. Plus, I’ve been able to put some dough away, which I’ll be needing as kayak season gets underway. So, to all you ladies out there who have beef w/ me living at home, well, when I’m having bbq’s at home this summer and cruising down to the beach after work, you’ll all have none of that!
done and done
Comments (2)
good job on the new job for next year. remember if u ever wanna come visit morocco be my guest. there are some rock climbing places near me and i know where to raft for ya… and ski!
i don’t know how old you are, but unless you are over 30 or something, i don’t see anything wrong concerning living with your parents. i think it can be a positive and wise move – especially if you are trying to save money instead of going directly into debt. i know that i am 22, about to graduate and i will be living with my parents until i head to graduate school. i could go out on my own for that 8 month gap but its such a great way for me to save money and plus i adore my parents.
so, don’t be ashamed of it, regardless of the consequences – especially in th realm of females.