I've always considered myself to have a rather broad perspective on life. However, now that I find myself surrounded by so many amazing individuals (extremely smart, talented, dedicated, etc.) from every corner in America, I realize how much my perspective was lacking in Georgia.
I get so excited at the chance to learn from other TFAers about how life works in their home states and/or colleges. Many TFAers have had international experience (one lived in Germany for three years), which adds a whole other dynamic to the conversation. It's just really great to engage in a deep, thoughtful, and respectable conversation with truly incredible individuals who all share this same passion -- TFA.
I also realize how I am contributing to other people's broadening perspectives. Because I am in unfamiliar territory as well, I am able to provide language, dialogue, dress, and customs which are typical of my neck of the woods -- GEORGIA.
I get a lot of pride showing my Georgia experiences with others here in Houston. But, I also realize how limited my experiences have been in Georgia. And that makes me extremely thankful for this opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and learn so much about others and their unique perspectives.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Houston Area Survey
Today at TFA Orientation, we had a very interesting presentation by Rice Sociology Professor Stephen Klineberg, who annually conducts a public perception survey of Houston residents. He presented data to help us better understand the areas where we will be teaching, aligned along demographics and local mindsets.
Some interesting facts that I heard...
-the "blue collar path" to economic success has largely disappeared (an education is fundamental now)
-Houston has the best medical facilities "on the face of the earth," but it also has the highest percentage of kids without health insurance
-In 1999, Houston surpassed Los Angeles as having the most "highly dangerous" days concerning air quality
-All of Houston's ethnic communities are now minorities - Anglos: 37%, Hispanic: 39%; and have more equality among percentage of per capita makeup then any other "melting pot" city
-88% of all Indians in Houston are first-generation
-48% of all Indians in Houston are professionals (college degree or post-graduate/professional degree)
I don't necessarily believe the way the survey was conducted (random telephone households) was the most reliable or valid, but some interested numbers nontheless.
Check it out for yourself... www.houstonareasurvey.com
Some interesting facts that I heard...
-the "blue collar path" to economic success has largely disappeared (an education is fundamental now)
-Houston has the best medical facilities "on the face of the earth," but it also has the highest percentage of kids without health insurance
-In 1999, Houston surpassed Los Angeles as having the most "highly dangerous" days concerning air quality
-All of Houston's ethnic communities are now minorities - Anglos: 37%, Hispanic: 39%; and have more equality among percentage of per capita makeup then any other "melting pot" city
-88% of all Indians in Houston are first-generation
-48% of all Indians in Houston are professionals (college degree or post-graduate/professional degree)
I don't necessarily believe the way the survey was conducted (random telephone households) was the most reliable or valid, but some interested numbers nontheless.
Check it out for yourself... www.houstonareasurvey.com
Monday, July 24, 2006
The Best News Ever
Today I began Teach For America*Houston Orientation. All this week, we'll be learning specifically about standards and practices for the Houston school districts and how that traslates to the work we will do in our classrooms.
I also discovered today something that I am absolutely fascinated by... some news involving one of my roommates. I found out today that Danny (from Chicago, mathematics major at Purdue) scored a whopping 180 on the LSAT. Not a 180 out of a 200, but a 180 out of a 180! He made a perfect score on the Law School Admissions Test! He's already been admitted to Harvard Law, where he will attend after finishing his two years with Teach For America.
This is amazing! Could it be possible that I have, living down the hall from me, in my very house, a living, breathing person who scored a perfect 180 on the very test that I will prepping for in order to take next summer?! Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about the opportunity to get some help from a proven success story when the time comes.
I also discovered today something that I am absolutely fascinated by... some news involving one of my roommates. I found out today that Danny (from Chicago, mathematics major at Purdue) scored a whopping 180 on the LSAT. Not a 180 out of a 200, but a 180 out of a 180! He made a perfect score on the Law School Admissions Test! He's already been admitted to Harvard Law, where he will attend after finishing his two years with Teach For America.
This is amazing! Could it be possible that I have, living down the hall from me, in my very house, a living, breathing person who scored a perfect 180 on the very test that I will prepping for in order to take next summer?! Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about the opportunity to get some help from a proven success story when the time comes.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Trained and Ready to Go
I've officially been in Houston now for 7 weeks, which should make me a legal resident, aside from the fact that I haven't registered with the DMV yet (actually, in Texas it's the Dept of Public Safety).
That being said, I've already completed my official Teach For America training and am ready to begin putting things in order for my 6th grade science/social studies classroom at Miller Intermediate.
Not so fast though... I still have a TFA Orientation (beginning at 8am tomorrow), school district new teacher orientation, and a series of campus staff development sessions before I can focus solely on my classroom and kids.
A side note... I technically haven't secured housing yet. While my things might be all setup in a 4-bedroom house with 3 other TFA guys, the landlord is considering kicking me out. Get this - she only wants 3 people in her 4-bedroom house. Granted, she's 60 years-old and raised all her children in this house, so she has somewhat of a sentimental attachment on the property, but I think she's being unreasonable. I'm currently still trying to convince her that she could not find 4 better guys to live in her house. I've given her references, personal assurances, my official employment letter, and I've emptied my bank account to make the security deposit larger. We shall see what she decides.
Other than that, Houston is amazing! Okay; minus the weather and mosquitoes, it's not all that bad.
That being said, I've already completed my official Teach For America training and am ready to begin putting things in order for my 6th grade science/social studies classroom at Miller Intermediate.
Not so fast though... I still have a TFA Orientation (beginning at 8am tomorrow), school district new teacher orientation, and a series of campus staff development sessions before I can focus solely on my classroom and kids.
A side note... I technically haven't secured housing yet. While my things might be all setup in a 4-bedroom house with 3 other TFA guys, the landlord is considering kicking me out. Get this - she only wants 3 people in her 4-bedroom house. Granted, she's 60 years-old and raised all her children in this house, so she has somewhat of a sentimental attachment on the property, but I think she's being unreasonable. I'm currently still trying to convince her that she could not find 4 better guys to live in her house. I've given her references, personal assurances, my official employment letter, and I've emptied my bank account to make the security deposit larger. We shall see what she decides.
Other than that, Houston is amazing! Okay; minus the weather and mosquitoes, it's not all that bad.
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