I didn’t write about my declared posted on “Cutie Pie Danielito” because I spent my time tonight writing my letter of intent for TEACH FOR AMERICA which is supposed to answer these three questions:
* Why do you seek to join Teach For America?
* What would you hope to accomplish as a corps member?
* How would you determine your success as a corps member?
Before I share with you all my reasons for wanting to do this program, I’d like to give you a little information about this amazing program. In short, it is a 2-year program that allows recent college graduates from all backgrounds and career interests to commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools. Training and ongoing support is provided for those accepted. Those who know me know that I am a sucker for kids, and this will allow me determine if being a teacher is something that I would want to continue to pursue, even after my 2-year commitment. For more information on TEACH FOR AMERICA, visit their website at www.teachforamerica.org. Let me know if I have a shot with this letter:
Dear Committee Members,
My interest in joining Teach for America is a personal, as well as professional choice. I was born an raised in Brooklyn and was taught in the public education system and I recently graduated from CUNY – Brooklyn College, so I am well acquainted with what it is to be a student in the New York school system. In teaching children here, I would not only gain more organizational, communicative as well as other leadership qualities, but the experience will be a cathartic in my efforts to be a positive role model for my students, who are just like I was. So TFA would be the beginning of a journey toward personal as well as professional fulfillment.
I love children and admire how they learn and grow. With TFA, I will be a part of that process. My niece, 9, is one of the most amazing people to me, in her creativity and her fragility. I believe that all children are like that on most levels. To some degree, I am like that. Children want to be heard. Children want to be understood. Children want to learn. Children want to be encouraged. I do feel a bit naïve with these thoughts, but it is this idealism, as well as my understanding of children, that makes me believe in my ability to be a positive role model, as well as a great teacher.
The teachers I remember most are those from my elementary and Junior High School days. The ones I weren’t too fond of, as well as the ones who were supportive yet stern. The latter were the ones I admire to this day. Being a teacher is at times a stressful occupation. It’s all about communication, understanding and patience. Some people are not equipped with those skills. I am proud to say that I am ever growing in these skills. With these skills I hope to help my students learn from me as much as I learn from them. I hope to find and teach better ways to communicate and better ways to learn. As a corps member, I hope to be a part of the lives of children from neighborhoods I am familiar with. I hope to be one of the teachers that they remember in their adult years, who help mould them and support them in their life’s endeavors. I hope to be one who will listen and understand their educational needs and use that information to improve the school system.
Success as a corps member would be to help improve the capacity of a student’s mind as well as their “spirit.” A lot of people I know, who grew up neighborhoods like the one I will be teaching in, lacked the ability to believe in things that they can achieve. Those people lacked the encouragement to believe that they can be successful adults and unfortunately, some of that discouragement came from teachers. In all my idealism, I do not believe that being a corps member will easy. So my success as a corps member will not only be measured in student test scores. My success would be measured by continual, steadfast ambition in my primary goal of being a great teacher and a positive influence on students.
LiberTeeLove 