Bulldog Dinner

Tonight, my roommates and I hosted eleven Georgia Bulldogs who are in town for Alternative Spring Break. Their service trip is focused on immigration issues, so they've been working with a local immigration center. Today, they actually helped proctor English as a Second Language tests.

The ladies were small in number but were definitely already a tightly knit group - which makes the week a lot more fun! They were telling me about the great work they have completed this week and other service projects they have ahead of them, and I am amazed at what they are having the opportunity to take part in.

Having gone on three ASB trips myself (Birmingham twice and Charleston), and having served as the Executive Coordinator last year, I am really excited to see the Houston trip turn out to be such a success. This issue area is definitely new for UGA ASB, and Houston is the farthest site UGA ASB has ever had. I was fortunate to be able to help ASB expand greatly while I was at UGA, and even though they aren't increasing the number of trips this year, it's great to see the ASB program expand in terms of new issue areas and destinations.

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On another note, I got an email from a close friend (shout out ASHLEY RUDOLPH!) who was a Coca-Cola Scholar. She received an email from her coordinator about an upcoming speaker at a Coca-Cola Scholar Conference. The speaker is Chris Myers Asch, who is one of two founders of the proposed U.S. Public Service Academy.

The idea is to build a college that prepares a student body "who are committed to devoting their lives to public service." If you ask me, it's about time!

I mention this for two reasons. First, I think it is a noble idea and know there is widespread desire among our generation for such a school. Hopefully, with all the attention it is garnering and the public support in Congress (ie - Hillary Clinton, Joseph Biden, Arlen Spector, Chris Shays, etc.), it will take off.

Second, both founders are Teach For America alumni who spent two years teaching in the Mississippi Delta. As I finish my first year and begin making plans for life after my second year, I'm really starting to focus on the commitment TFA members dedicate themselves to after their two years in the classroom.

While what we really need are good teachers in the classroom, what is ultimately going to facilitate achieving this goal is having policy-makers with firsthand experience in the issues our communities face and are equipped with the knowledge of the changes needing to take place in order to ensure we have the most qualified minds our country can produce; and more importantly, that these minds have the resources and flexibility to do what they do best.

The U.S. Public Service Academy is another example of corps members tackling this lifelong mission, and doing so outside of the classroom.

Interestingly enough, Chris's wife is a student rabbi (and TFA alumna) at the temple in Greenville, MS where Missy Ball teaches Sunday School - what a small world!