Teaching. I think someone lit a fire under my a** when I chose to go to Loyola. As a Jesuit university, its motto is "preparing people to live extraordinary lives." To me, the motto represents an awakening to our global citizenship. I am a steward of justice and faith, of perseverance and solidarity. Would I have discovered my calling and my gift at another university? It might have taken me a lot longer.
Loyola gave me a chance to follow a path that I did not even realize I was walking. Through community service projects in the city to studying abroad and wearing my Ramblers shirt downtown, I was promoting the traditions of a group of people committed to making a difference.
Now, the deeply embedded Jesuit values of justice and faith carry me through the day. As a KIPP Denver Collegiate High School teacher, I share with my students the value of character and being one for the global community. My small group of students that most high schools would call homeroom is called my PRIDE. These kids are my pride because they have already started to recognize their one life is better and bigger when they affect their community. We went to Dumb Friends Animal Shelter in Denver, Colorado for a Saturday afternoon. We will be going each month for a few hours to help the shelter in any way we are able. These kids went with me last night to Red Rocks to listen to Greg Mortenson talk about peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He builds schools for girls in a society that does not promote peace for all. Through education, he is empowering a generation of people to improve the way their world functions.
Where is this going?
I had no idea that signing up for Teach for America would bring me to the point where my school cell phone is a lifeline for kids when their world goes dark. It is. The question, "Will you pray for me?" lights a fire in me. Who is putting these bright, talented, caring teenagers in misery? Someone who knows that these spirits and minds can develop into strong leaders and activists that will fight against injustice and stand proudly for their right to a safe, strong and successful life.
Thank you for the gift. The gift of listening, of compassion and humility. Loyola, you lit a fire in me that is inextinguishable.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
New School, Old Building
I'd like to paint a picture in your mind....
Imagine a high school where students walk calmly through the hallways, wearing either blue or white shirts with the school logo emblazoned on the front. Snazzy signs hang throughout the halls and in classrooms with slogans like, "If a teammate needs help, we give," or "No shortcuts. No excuses." One of my favorite slogans that hangs in our halls says, "Work Hard. Be Nice." What if I said those were the school rules? You won't find signs that say "No Gum" or "No late work accepted." This is a school where students call their teachers and ask for an extension on their homework if they need more time. No excuses. Imagine 130 freshman sitting quietly and listening to school announcements led by their student government. Teachers are visible but rarely heard. In that same meeting, students snap their fingers to praise each other for hard work, being there to lift a friend who had a rough time or thank a teacher for their dedication in the classroom. Was that your high school?
This is KIPP Denver Collegiate High School. Right here in Denver, Colorado.
Imagine these kids, so positive and demonstrating citizenship in their schools, sitting in classrooms with brand new tables and chairs, new science lab rooms with gas and air hook ups. In a building that has air system features that are circulating around dirty air out of filters that haven't been changed in years. The wing we occupy hasn't been used in years. The staircases collect dust and the cleaning crew doesn't clean daily. The lockers need some force to help open them. Teachers don't have keys to their classrooms and our cafeteria is underground, with no air ventilation. 130 teenagers at lunch time can heat up a room! There was asbestos in the building, I was told it was all removed. Hm. I thought that stuff was a little difficult to remove.
Remember those great kids? Their teachers and leaders and coaches are even more indescribable. These teachers show up early and stay late. They make sure each kid has a chance to succeed - whether it takes them an extra week to get it or they need more challenging problems to solve. Their leaders work relentlessly to make college an option.
I am so proud to be a part of the KIPP family. These kids are already showing that they can and will graduate from college - if they continue to work hard and be nice.
Imagine a high school where students walk calmly through the hallways, wearing either blue or white shirts with the school logo emblazoned on the front. Snazzy signs hang throughout the halls and in classrooms with slogans like, "If a teammate needs help, we give," or "No shortcuts. No excuses." One of my favorite slogans that hangs in our halls says, "Work Hard. Be Nice." What if I said those were the school rules? You won't find signs that say "No Gum" or "No late work accepted." This is a school where students call their teachers and ask for an extension on their homework if they need more time. No excuses. Imagine 130 freshman sitting quietly and listening to school announcements led by their student government. Teachers are visible but rarely heard. In that same meeting, students snap their fingers to praise each other for hard work, being there to lift a friend who had a rough time or thank a teacher for their dedication in the classroom. Was that your high school?
This is KIPP Denver Collegiate High School. Right here in Denver, Colorado.
Imagine these kids, so positive and demonstrating citizenship in their schools, sitting in classrooms with brand new tables and chairs, new science lab rooms with gas and air hook ups. In a building that has air system features that are circulating around dirty air out of filters that haven't been changed in years. The wing we occupy hasn't been used in years. The staircases collect dust and the cleaning crew doesn't clean daily. The lockers need some force to help open them. Teachers don't have keys to their classrooms and our cafeteria is underground, with no air ventilation. 130 teenagers at lunch time can heat up a room! There was asbestos in the building, I was told it was all removed. Hm. I thought that stuff was a little difficult to remove.
Remember those great kids? Their teachers and leaders and coaches are even more indescribable. These teachers show up early and stay late. They make sure each kid has a chance to succeed - whether it takes them an extra week to get it or they need more challenging problems to solve. Their leaders work relentlessly to make college an option.
I am so proud to be a part of the KIPP family. These kids are already showing that they can and will graduate from college - if they continue to work hard and be nice.
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