Headed Home

Well, sadly Spring Break has passed me by.  I now find myself in the Portland Airport awaiting my departure back to Phoenix.  This week has been a much needed break and change of scenery.  The stresses of the classroom and all its responsibilities have really reared their ugly head recently.  It took nearly the entire week to return to normalcy: not being tired throughout the day and resting peacefully when it actually was time to sleep. Undoubtedly the company of old friends aided in the process of forgetting teacher-mode and living a couple days as a human being.

Josh and Holly are living wonderfully.  They have a new baby girl named Aiden.  She has an incredible amount of personality for a six month old.  She laughs when others laugh and screams something awful whenever she senses tension or her sleep is rudely interrupted.  The baby definitely created a different dynamic this Portland visit; however, it was still thoroughly enjoyable.

There is nothing quite like kicking back with Josh and reading or conversing over important issues such as politics and/or religion.  These bonding experiences were of course complimented with Stumptown coffee, Pix dessert, or some local brews.  Otherwise the conversation would not be nearly as engaging.  One topic that seemed to continually arise outside the realm of politics or religion was my post-TFA plans.

In all honesty, this is a difficult projection.  Some days I come home and absolutely love teaching.  Of course there are other days when I come home and could not be more ready for a complete vocational overhaul.  Knowing my personality and strong ambition, I would not be surprised if I hung around the teaching profession for some time.  Despite all the bad days, it is always the small victories that keep me coming back time and again.  (Why do you think golf is my favorite sport to play?  There is nothing more dynamically up and down, off and on than golf.)

The question that arises in my mind, however, is what age would I teach?  And more importantly, what subject?  Math definitely has its pros and cons.  It is easy to plan for because of its logical black and white nature.  On the other hand, it is very difficult to portray as interesting or engaging.  (Especially since it does not get me excited).  At times it can be rather abstract for 7^th and 8^th graders who have very limited engagement with relevant math life-experience (outside of purchasing video games from their allowances).  Needless to say, the clear step-by-step planning is often a comfort.

With that said, I think I would much prefer a more subjective, discussion based subject like history, philosophy, literature, or religion/theology.  I find the themes that are incorporated into these fields to be much more relevant to my life and search for meaning/purpose.  I have an inkling that my excitement about these matters would in turn excite the students to engage and discuss a variety of topics.

In order to teach a subject like this, I believe it would be necessary to move up in grade level.  As important as the middle school age is for closing the achievement gap before it truly widens, I have a hard time envisioning students of this age discoursing on such matters.  Sure on a micro-level they could have their say, but from what I have gathered so far this year, critical thought, analysis, and synthesis of complex ideas would be beyond them.  In fact, comprehending anything more than a 4^th grade reading level is beyond many of them…

So maybe I belong in high school, a community college, a university?  My dilemma with this is that I have no desire to seclude myself into a secure, ivory tower.  I have no desire to escape the front lines of combating poverty and injustice, something that has always been my passion.  Currently, I am simply difficult time envisioning the variety of shapes fighting for justice can take.  I imagine with time and a little more experience my convictions, aptitudes, and decisions will all mold into something I enjoy and something that gives me meaning.

Until then, I will focus on my responsibilities at hand and enjoy the ride life as given me, as stressful as it might be sometimes.  My plan of return is to face the year in a more balanced and purposeful way.  I would like to be efficient but balanced with my work and not spend so many late nights and early  mornings making preparations for the day to day.  I will serve no cause well by burning out.  Eight more weeks and then some travel time.  But to where?

Until we meet again.

Taylor

Refocusing

 

Sadly Spring Break ended as quickly as it began and I now find myself back in College Station preparing for the school week.  My Portland excursion provided me enough physical and mental relaxation to feel recharged and ready to face the end of the year which is quickly approaching.  It is hard to fathom that I will be a college graduate in about two months.  Time surely does seem to pass quicker with every year.

 

Last time I wrote to you, Matt, Caroline, Josh and I were heading to the Colombia River Gorge for some hiking.  The outing was simply phenomenal – the views were incredible and the many cliffs and waterfalls breathtaking.  We took a short hike to the top of the Multnomah Falls, some 550 feet from mouth to base.  The hike was easy enough not to leave us breathless, so we had some great conversation on the way up and down.  I still firmly believe that there is nothing more miraculous than a heart to heart among friends.  Despite the incredible sites I saw, this was what was reconfirmed to me time and time again in Portland.

 

Wednesday we took another tour of the city, this time on our own.  Amazingly, everything worked out perfectly including the weather which was clear skies all day.  Due to a little mishaps on the bus in the morning, the driver gave us three day-passes which saved us about five bucks each.  This great start only got better… Our first stop was McMenamin’s Kennedy School Brewpub.  The pub was originally a school built in 1913 that closed sometime in the 70s.  McMenamin’s bought it and renovated it into a brewpub/restaurant/theatre/hotel.  

 

I am not exaggerating when I say it may be one of the coolest things I have seen.  Former classrooms serve as hotel rooms and take on names relating to their history.  There is (among many others) a “Detention Bar” that serves McMenamin’s local brews.  The hallways are decorated with retro art and newspaper clippings featuring the history of the school and its teachers and students.  If you ever go to Portland and need a place to stay or a good brew, The Kennedy School is a must.

 

After lunch at the pub, we took a bus into downtown where we sat in Portland’s famous Stumptown Coffee.  Here we sipped fine coffee, read, caught up on emails, and I officially committed to Teach for America.  This means starting in early June I will be relocating my life to Phoenix, Arizona and teaching mathematics.  This is a little scary I have to admit.  To close out the night we went to Jimmy Mak’s for live jazz, which was incredible and right up my ally.  We returned home only to wake up extra early for a ski trip to Mt. Hood.  After skiing all day, we crashed and woke up early Friday morning before our plane.  We went to breakfast with Josh and Holly, said our goodbyes and parted ways.   Their hospitality was incredible and if they are reading this they need to be thanked one more time!

 

I need to be off for some more pre-week organization.  One of these days I will sit down and blog about my future with Teach for America.  Thanks to all who listen.

A Short Break

 

In the midst of school and all its responsibilities, life can begin to whirl by uncontrollably, each day practically indistinguishable from the next.  Currently, I find myself in Portland, Oregon visiting Josh and Holly who I met while in Rwanda this summer.  The Break has allowed me time to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the company of friends and the beautiful rolling green hills surrounding the city.

 

Although it has been raining continually in Portland, my time here has been quite enjoyable.  We have strolled through the city, visiting all the important sites such as McMenamin’s Brewpub Theatres, The Rose Gardens and Powell’s Bookstore, driven out to the coast, and today we will head up the Colombia River for some hiking at the Gorge.  At nights Holly and Josh have taken us to some good eateries where we fellowship and talk about our lives and future plans.  Josh and Holly have some exciting news: their first child is due in September!

 

As far as my future plans go, I feel as though I need to update some of you.  The search for post-graduate opportunities has been quite stressful and overwhelming.  One night while sitting on my porch, my friend Toby said something quite profound that I feel truly captures my sentiments of the moment.  He said, “Our dilemma as humans is not that we have too few opportunities, but infinite possibilities.  By choosing one road we close all other doors, at least temporarily.  If instead we choose to travel many paths, we never engage one completely and experience it to its full.”

 

Looking ahead at the potential pathways that my life could take, what Toby described is exactly how I felt.  Regardless, more than anything, I wanted options.  So, starting at the beginning of the semester I began to rigorously research and apply to different jobs.  Some of these included:  two junior officer positions with USAID, program associate in Peru and Colombia with The Clinton Foundation, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps.  I was promptly rejected by an automated computer for the positions with USAID and the Clinton Foundation.  However, for several weeks I continued through the long interview process with both Teach for America and the Peace Corps.

 

I am happy to say, that with both organizations I have been offered a position.  Teach for America has asked me to teach secondary mathematics in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Peace Corps is a little more vague, but judging by the conversations I have had with my recruiter, I would most likely do teacher training somewhere in Asia.  Both are great opportunities; however, I am currently leaning more towards Teach for America for reasons that I may discuss in a later post.

 

It is hard to believe that my undergraduate college career is almost complete.  These four years flew by faster than I could ever have imagined.  As hard as it will be to move on with my life, I am enchanted by the possibilities that lay ahead of me.  For now, I will enjoy my time in Portland and the majestic beauty that surrounds me.  It is time for a hike through the Gorge.