First Post

Hello!

I write this entry on the cusp between the 3rd and 4th of June; approximately 15 days until I make my move east to Philadelphia. I have created this blog as a tool to keep myself connected to my family, friends, professors and teachers from Oregon, Kenyon, and everything in between. It seemed the best way to keep myself grounded, allowing for the insight and comments from everyone along the way.

So far, I have spent endless hours filling out paperwork, studying for the certification exams, and working on the pre-institute readings and reflections since graduation. I know that institute will be an extremely challenging 5 weeks, so I am doing my best to withhold complaining about how this should be my break from studying and doing work! Instead, I am trying to focus on this time as a warm-up for the next few weeks of institute and even more so, a warm-up for the next few years of teaching.

Tonight I had my first phone conference with a woman from TFA of Greater Philadelphia-Camden-Delaware. She was extremely friendly and it was comforting to hear such a warm voice on the phone as I prepare to move east. She detailed the complex process of assigning us to schools over the summer. It seems very overwhelming, but I trust that I will end up exactly where I am supposed to. They gave us the gentle nudge to be say if we would want to switch assignments to the more high-need courses (i.e. math, science, special education), but I feel convicted in wanting to teach secondary English. Though I know that things do happen for a reason and the right doors will open when they need to!

At this point, I must go to sleep. I've been getting progressively more and more anxious as the 19th approaches, so the more sleep I get now, the better! I will post as frequently as I can! But to everyone, love and hugs to you!