Jacksonville

             Tomorrow I begin a solo road trip that will launch the next chapter of my life. I decided to apply for Teach for America last fall because my older sister Rebekah, was a TFA corps member in Memphis and had an extremely positive experience. I took an “Issues in American Education” class and found that many people in the education field have issues with Teach for America because it places the least experienced, least qualified individuals in the poorest, worst performing school districts in the United States. After visiting my sister’s classroom last year and looking at her data, as well as the data of her fellow Corps Members, I was confident that TFA produced effective teachers and created positive results for children. I decided I wanted to be a part of their mission. I was not burned out of college when I graduated, but I was certainly burned out of the classes. All that learning and predictability made me antsy. I applied knowing that I wanted to go away and go do- as soon as I graduated. After the most intimidating and intense interview experience of my life and two months of anxious waiting, I found out I’d been accepted. I was on my way back to Virginia Tech after Winter Break and decided to press my email button just to check if they sent the notification earlier than promised. I glanced down to see an email from TFA and it only took seeing “Congratulations” in the subject line for me to burst into hysterics- by myself on 81. I took the first exit, which happened to be the exit of my hometown (the full circle only added to the hysterics), pulled into a gas station, and opened the email. “Congratulations! You have been accepted to teach Elementary Education in Jacksonville, Florida.” The hysterics stopped. I read it again. Jacksonville? Florida? I had my heart set on going out west- my “Highly Preferred” list was littered with cities in California, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon, Seattle, and New Mexico. I didn’t even remember putting Jacksonville down, but then I remembered that I had looked it up on a map, saw it was near the beach (my greatest weakness) and added it to my top ten.

            After some research, I now know some things about this mysterious city and state. For starters, it is warm year round, and on the beach, which means it will be impossible for me to hate it. Second, it has been called the “Golf Capital of America”, which may contribute to the high percentage of senior citizens in the area. A match made in heaven. My friends just cannot wait to visit. Also, I love Ray Charles and he lived and got started there, so… that's cool.
          In all seriousness, I am excited. And nervous. The past three weeks have been jammed packed with visits to my best friends in Harrisonburg and the beach, a trip to Memphis to see Rebekah in action, and time with family at home. Feeling lucky to have loved ones that make leaving difficult. I will be at the University of North Florida for Institute (training) until July 27^th, which I imagine will be similar to freshman year. A bunch of young people in a scary transition- brand new to each other and a new place, forced to live together and become fast friends. I’d hoped I would never have to go through that again, but the idea is actually somewhat comforting. Plus, those five weeks will also help me get to know the city, secure a job in a county school, and find a place to live. Institute is notorious for being extremely rigorous and challenging, but no one has said they left feeling unprepared. The scariest part of this whole thing is the reality that on August 19^th, I will have a whole lot of kids in a classroom of my own, and that I will be accountable for providing them with an excellent education. That reality is also what most encourages and motivates me when I get freaked out about moving and becoming a real person with a real job and Responsibilities. More than anything, I want to be the best teacher I can for them. Back to packing.

Lots n lots n lots o love,
Kathryn