Goodbye, MLK...

Justin and I have officially finished our rotation at MLK Jr. Elementary School in SE DC. I must confess, I will miss it. We have spent the last few weeks observing, assisting, and teaching these sweet, young kindergarten, first grade, and third grade students. Being around and teaching those children for the last three weeks really opened my eyes. When I entered this program I never intended to get certified. Recently, I have been thinking I should because it is practical. Now I realize that I really wouldn't mind teaching in a public school if it was urban.

I entered this program hoping to someday work for a museum or non-profit creating outreach programs to under-served populations. I did not want to go directly into a classroom because I thought I would not be able to gather as many resources (grants, etc.) as I would while working with a museum. Mr. Hill has proved otherwise. He talked about the numerous grants he has applied for and received, as well as the competitions he enters his students in and the prizes and benefits of enrolling. I know now that urban public school teachers can do more to help under-served students than any single non-profit. They help them everyday and teacher like Bryan Hill even put in the extra effort to get them supplemental grants and supplies.

Because of this rotation I am seriously considering a career in urban public education. It will be interesting to see the classes of the considerably more advantaged students at SEEC over the next few weeks. Perhaps I will come out of that rotation excited about that type of education. However, I suspect I will still be pining over those SE elementary schoolers.