...until Winter Break.
The countdown habit continues.
This has been one of the most productive Sundays I have had in awhile. I have been working nearly all day and have accomplished quite a bit. Per usual -- there is still more to do! But, I need sleep as well:-)
I was already motivated to work lots today, but last night's holiday party for the Tulsa corps was definitely empowering.
There's just something about this corps getting together that inspires me. Maybe it's that we are 80 committed people working to change the world. Maybe it's that we share the tales of our thousands of students, whether they are heartwarming or disheartening. Maybe it's that we all recognize that all students, no matter the feeling associated with them, deserves our best and are capable of being their best. And maybe it's just that we are a community. Whatever the reason, we are a strong corps of individuals, and our gatherings instill great faith in me that anything is possible.
TFA Tulsa is one lucky corps, too. A local foundation donated a large sum of money to corps members in the form of DonorsChoose.org gift cards for our holiday presents. The triple-digit number on our gift cards, we were told, is actually doubled by a matching funder. This gift, in other words, is literally going to put thousands of dollars into TFA classrooms and schools across Tulsa.
Haven't I mentioned the generosity of the Tulsa community? Besides money for our kids, this town has been consistent in giving us hugs, warm smiles, and enough free food to fuel even the lowest of weeks. In just the past month, we have been welcomed by two religious communities giving us time, space, and food to socialize and enjoy the company of allies. We also enjoyed dinner at Mayor Kathy Taylor's house, meeting her and her family.
The staff says this kind of treatment by a partner city is unprecedented. I obviously have no way to compare, but even so -- this community has a way of making our already special corps feel welcomed, honored, and appreciated.
I can't say that my students are the best welcoming committee every day, but they do bring smiles to my heart and make me feel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to teach them. In just this semester, they have taught me so much about myself, my abilities, and what education really is: a joining of minds, and of hearts.
The countdown to a break may be on my mind, but more prominent is my gratitude toward the people who have made this experience life-changing, and who will continue to help me change the world. Those are: my fellow corps members, the staff here in OK, the Tulsa community, as well as my students and my colleagues.
Before the work started this weekend, I had a professional development with TFA followed by that holiday party. Next weekend, my break from the grind will come in the form of the winter dance (Friday night), a professional development at school (Saturday morning), and a holiday party for school staff and faculty at our principal's house (Saturday evening).
Sounds like work and play are becoming more the same these next two weeks.
This job is so cool.
~MJ
PS Pictures at the top are from CM Chelsea's camera (check out her Show and Tell video [Ms. Chelsea's Super Scholars] from her classroom and VOTE for it!)...
Picture #1 is the group from my table, including one of the TFAers from my school (far left) and my roomie (to my right).
Picture #2 is my roommate and I with Lance, the executive director of TFA Tulsa and one of my favorite people.
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