Aim high

Peace Corps is a bust. They don't accept anyone who has a genetic predisposition to depression. Thanks, Dad... and Grandpa. Damn. Eh. I get it though. It's a liability issue. They can't afford to have a ticking time bomb out there in the desert, on the side of a mountain, or in the middle of a mudslide.  

It's one thing to have a sudden breakdown out of utter isolation and bleakness, when you're watching little kids in your village die by the tens daily. Add to that the fact that you may be an hour or three away from another volunteer? Yeah. That's a nightmare. Now, compound that with already being prone to panic attacks and depressive episodes, no matter how long ago they may had been? Christ. Props to those who can handle it, but I know my limitations. I'd freak out in the first 6 months. They don't need that.

Teach for America, however, as stressful as I expect it to be, is definitely more suited to what I want to get out of this experience - and not malaria or a potential suicide watch. 

For five years now (God... that long? Man, I have been wasting time), my conscious main goal in life has been to become the best teacher I can possibly be - in a high school and someday, at the collegiate level. I firmly believe that shown the tools and discovering the confidence within them, that students can learn, and if they truly want to, armed with knowledge, experience, and confidence, they can transform the world. 

God. That makes me sound like Oprah. Oh, well. Homegirl did open a school. Anyway...

I’m going to step up my volunteering (there is a community center in my area that offers ESL) and get my degree in December. The latest application deadline is in February.

I can do this.

I have a decent GPA at 3.85
My academic background is in English, Education and Cultural Studies.
I’m a feminist – I believe in equality for all. Period.
I’m a political and social activist.
I’m rooted in the working class.
I’ve already worked with students on the lower socioeconomical rung, and loved it.
I am on the lower socioeconomic rung and understand its implications and challenges it presents in the dialogue on quality of education.
I’m interested in utilizing pop culture in the classroom.
I’m interested in people’s stories and what they teach us.
I want to be a part of the solution rather than sit back and whine about the problem.

That’s why I want to do this.