Sunday, June 15, 2014

The dirt road continues!

To all of you who followed my journey; the ups and downs, fun and laughter, hardship and challenges. I wanted to continue my story, let you know where I am and what I’ve found myself doing. Since coming home from Guinea I tried to immerse myself in activities to keep me busy. Partly to ease the transition and mostly because I knew sitting at home would be the most unfulfilling thing I could do. When I got back I decided to get involved with various volunteer activities. It was a great way to continue the type of work I was doing in my community in Guinea. Working in a community garden, helping with a hunger ministry and staying involved with my friends and family in Guinea. I knew that I wouldn’t just leave everything behind in Guinea. I still remain involved with a couple projects and talk with other volunteers and Guineans quite frequently. But I knew that I wouldn’t be able to continue with just volunteering so I searched for ways to get a paying gig while remaining in a job that was fulfilling and purposeful.

With my experience in Guinea I knew I wanted to remain in a position to work with youth and I also wanted to be able to take the next summer off so that I’d be able to go back to Guinea for a couple months to bring closure and visit all of my friends one last time. Through a true chain of serendipitous events I began substitute teaching at Community School of Davidson. I couldn’t have found a more perfect place to spend time working between now and next summer. Although teaching Math is not something I would have imagined; it’s exactly where I’ve found myself. It’s truly remarkable to look back and follow my journey that lead me to the classroom; one that absolutely could not be predicted or fathomed. But, true to the world as we know it, here I stand in front of 104 bright, promising, wonderful minds with the chance to influence them into becoming wonderful world citizens.

The original plan consisted of me making just enough money substituting to pay for a ticket back to Guinea. Not a big deal, just a consistent income doing something purposeful. But then I fell in love. The school, administration, kids, parents, community and colleagues. All of the forces that I hear so many of my teaching friends complain about are exactly what kept me coming back to work each day. My principal is amazing; a workhorse that couldn’t see more clearly the benefit of a well-rounded education for a child. Parents that take time to check-in on their children; at times an overwhelming thought to have a hundred adults questioning you on your intentions with their child’s education but, honestly, a welcome reality to the alternative that most schools face. Colleagues that experience the highest of the highs and lowest of lows together with me; and kids that, while moody and sometimes unappreciative, are forever warm, funny and always worth it.

The most surprising turn of events came when I met with my principal in late 2012; I thought everything was going fairly well. I was definitely trying my hardest to make sure the kids were successful; often going home frustrated with the thought that, “I could’ve done that a little different” or “If only I’d known that before I taught the lesson.” Quite frankly, the more days that pass, the more often I have those thoughts, probably because I’ve always been the type to reach just a little bit further. But, we met together to talk about my future. What did I want to do? Was teaching something that I was interested in? Did I enjoy the challenge of education? All questions I asked myself; none that I had honestly answered. I took a couple weeks to think about it. I went back and forth; I had already prepared my family that I would probably move abroad for a few years to work in a developing country. I was young, had no obligations and was searching for adventure. Did I really want to be a teacher? I prayed, talked with lots of people, and rationalized each opportunity. Ultimately, I decided that as a teacher I would have summers off and I would be given the opportunity to teach social studies. I was given the opportunity to teach a subject that I always loved in a school that centered its curriculum around that topic.

Last year I had a very fulfilling time teaching about African and Asian culture. I had a great group of kids that I was genuinely sad to leave for the summer. One of the most rewarding experiences was watching them advocate for ideas and issues they believed in. We spent every Friday learning about global issues which lead up to a project where the kids created a museum to show other students, community members and parents the issues that billions of people face and the solutions that we can be a part of. They blew me away with their knowledge and depth of understanding. It was sensational. A perfect way to close out the year.

Next year I find myself in yet another role at CSD. Through another rather serendipitous sequence of events I have been given the opportunity to move up with my kids to 8th grade. Not only that (which is rewarding enough) I am going to lead the practicum program, too. I will be responsible for organizing service opportunities for my students to get them out into the community and allow hands on experience in an industry or organization that they may be interested in. This position marries almost all of my passions: kids, service and exploration. I'm very excited and a bit anxious to get started.

This journey has been interesting, to say the least. I've learned that hardship can bring great opportunity. One of my favorite college professors said, "never have more than a two year plan." Well, at this rate, I've never had more than a nine month plan! Onward, upper, higher and higher. Shane