Hampton Prep ladies and gentlemen! Started in 2007, this member of the Uplift Charter program system is situated in the South Dallas area, servicing students from the immediate Dallas area as well as the surrounding suburbs. I can't say how excited I am to start teaching and serving those students from my community and getting them on track for sure success.
Well the first week of training is in the books (this is my 7th week of training though since I started with TFA) and I can't convey just how ready I am to be done sitting through hours of informational sessions. I will say though, Hampton faculty has quite the characters so there are very few dull moments. Hampton has had some big changes though in administration, which usually means big changes across the board. I originally came in thinking I would be teaching 11th and 12th grade Algebra II and Pre-Cal, but that was changed and now I'm teaching Algebra I with the Freshman. I actually don't mind this at all because Algebra I is the foundation for the higher level maths and it excites me that I get to put this foundation in place for all my students. Also, being that their freshman and younger, I have more power to mold them into the scholars I want them to be! Muahaha! It's also exciting that I am the only Freshman math teacher, which means I am responsible, solely, for their results and success. I get the privilege of being responsible for approximately 120 Freshman student's math competency this year, not a task to be taken lightly.
If that isn't enough, I've already committed to jr varsity and varsity coach positions as well as possibly middle school and high school soccer positions. Oh and I'm looking to help start a Kappa League program as well as maybe help with the STEM program (science, technology, engineering, and math). So, as always, it looks like I'll be pretty busy between all this and finding time, somewhere in there, to visit my beautiful girlfriend Michelle. Although it seems like a lot, and probably too much for a first year teacher to be honest, I like it because I'm used to having to handle a lot of responsibilities at one time so it's kinda my niche. I find when I'm not very active I tend not to be as productive, interestingly enough.
So week two of training (8 in total) for Uplift starts Monday, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel because we have our Student Leadership Academy, which is a conference for all new incoming students, that begins on Thursday. So at least I'll get to interact with the students and meet some of my students that I'll be spending this next year with. I need a little break from all these adults.
Yo bro... great post (and great blog by the way). I think what you're doing is extremely powerful and that you're going to make a huge difference for a lot of these kids. I also think that its a blessing that you got moved to Algebra I... not only because it'll be less of a headache, but also because, like you said, you get to catch these kids at such a critical point in their academic careers. Clearly, you already know this, but research shows that students derive a significant about of self-esteem/confidence etc from their ability to succeed within the classroom, especially in the courses that are traditionally thought to be "more challenging" like maths/sciences.
ReplyDeleteI know it definitely wont be easy, but I'm looking forward to reading great stories about the connections that you're able to make with these students... and the motivation you'll be able to provide.
You're in this awesome position for a reason bro- keep making the best of it.
I'll check in later,
Emeka
SN: KL program is a must haha. Reuben, Kene, and I were a part of a start up at our high school (3 out of the first 4 intake classes)... and you see what that produced!