1 post from 2009

Bienvenidos a Mississippi Teacher Corps!

Let me say this: you have no idea what  you are getting yourself into! This experience will impact the rest of your life. Don't ever think you have figured out the answers...many have come before and many will follow in the same situation without answers. Arrogance doesn't survive in this program.

My advice to you is to get to know your fellow first-years and the second-years. They will be an excellent resource and support system for you. Also, get to know other people - people who do not teach. You will want a break from "teacher people." Get out into your community and make friends!

If you are not from Mississippi, this state will blow your mind away. There are wonderful little Southern towns like Hattiesburg, Columbus, and Madison/Ridgeland. Then you enter into your community and your assigned school and you begin to think you are on a different planet. Keep a tally of how many times you ask yourself, "am I still in the United States?"

Sometimes the days will drag. Sometimes the weeks will drag. It will come to an end! At the end of two years, it is that feeling that so much has happened in such a short period of time. Two years really does pass quickly (at times you are more thankful for this than others), but you will have a lot on your plate! Not only will teaching consume your time in life, it and the endless questions about culture and education will always be on your mind. Talk and write it out - don't keep everything bottled up inside of you!

Don't give up - this experience is definitely worth the struggles ahead of you. ¡Buena suerte!