Thank goodness I taught at a high school last summer, because the DRA seems crazy! Okay, not really crazy, but just complicated. Lots of bits and pieces to remember, lots of kids, lots of time. And I’m sure the logistics of testing and the system has been reworked over and over to be the most…

Here I am, back at institute for the third summer in a row. I really enjoyed both of my previous institute experiences of being an operations coordinator, which solidified my intent to apply for and join the corps, and a first-year corps member, which solidified my intent never to come to institute again (see how…

I have become accustomed to anti-climaxes lately. First, there was the whole matter of being away from school for my last semester. Leaving in December didn’t feel like the end; graduating in May seemed like an afterthought. Then, there was the end of my co-op. I left at noon that Friday, after cake and a…

On the first day of institute, it finally sunk in that I am going to be a teacher. Remember that I accepted Teach For America’s offer in November, so it’s apparently taken six months for me to grasp this concept. I am going to be a teacher. I am going to stand in front of…