So all day today I've been checking my e-mail every 36 seconds. What could possibly call for such obsessive compulsive behavior you might ask? I was waiting to see if I'd been accepted to the next round of the application process which is a phone interview. It was really great because all throughout the day while I was waiting I had time to declare this situation as committed into the Lord's hands. Before each time I renewed the page to my inbox I told Him that this situation is His. I knew that if I was chosen to move on to the next round it would have little to nothing to do with my own qualifications but everything to do with what He wants for the next chapter of my life. Of course, the Lord wanted to rock me a little more than just finding out about the phone interview so when I checked it for the 413th time I found this:
"Congratulations, Angelica! You have been invited to attend a final interview.
Based on your written application, we have gathered enough information about you to be passed on directly to the interview day..."
I had to submit a 500 word letter of intent for the first part of the application process. A few of my friends asked to read it to see why exactly I have such a strong desire to join Teach For America. Here it is.
1. Why do you seek to join Teach For America?
I have been blessed to see both sides of
the spectrum of educational inequality. Teaching in Uganda and rural South
Carolina has given me a global and multi-cultural perspective of this
disparity. Through these
experiences I was left with a conviction to see change. I am motivated to join
forces because I know that it is through quality education that we can bridge the
gap. I believe that education is
the science of a delicate combination of teaching and learning and I have a
passionate call to both. Teaching my students means much more than schooling
them in an academic manner. As a teacher I want to instruct my students
academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. I want to see the youth of this nation
shatter the constraints of any stereotype or obstacle set upon them by society.
I know that with my best efforts teaching I will undoubtedly learn myself. I have a deep craving to continue to develop myself as a
teacher. As a corps member I will
be expanding my leadership ability by learning to adapt to a unique environment
that will challenge me in new ways.
I can clearly see my core values and professional intentions fall into
alignment with the mission statement of Teach For America. I am ready to take
initiative for improving the quality of life for myself and for others.
2. What
would you hope to accomplish as a corps member?
From
my time spent working in schools that are poverty stricken, I have developed an
empathetic desire to see change. I
know that I would have to take practical steps in and outside my classroom to see
my students go from a drop-out rate statistic to a name and face in a college
classroom. I would hope to find a balance of setting big goals for my students’
success while celebrating small steps achieved along the way. I fully expect to
build a strong rapport with my fellow staff, students and community to unite us
in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation. This would help develop a stable learning environment where
students know what to expect and what is expected of them. I believe that this will inspire
learners to take personal pride and responsibility making them accountable for
demonstrating and cultivating their current and long term intellectual growth.
3.
How
would you determine your success as a corps member?
I believe that
success is not only reaching a specified destination but also a journey rich in
experiences. I would know I am following the path of success by seeing the fruits
of constant improvement. I would
stay focused on always being my toughest critic in order to develop as an
educator for my students. I would want to see my students thrive in new ways in
terms of being able to cope with the ever-changing world. I would also measure
my progress by my ability to initiate reformations to implement positive change
in my school system. Seeing that
the whole child is being cultivated and challenged to reach maximum potential
would determine my success as a Teach For America corps member.
There are another 3 waves of applications being accepted and the next deadline is September 14th. Let me know if you decide to apply so we can get excited together!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."
