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Corps Year: 2007 |
Describe where you live. What is your neighborhood like?
I live downtown in the heart of the city. I stay just a few blocks off of Beale Street and I love it. My place is on the trolley line, so I have easy access to all that downtown has to offer. I love living downtown. There's always something going on and there are always people I can enjoy it with.
What do you like most about living in Memphis?
I think that Memphis provides southern style with a metropolitan mix. It's in the middle of the country so it gives me access to just about anywhere. The city is just big enough for the "big city" feel and small enough for a "small town" style of living.
What is your everyday life like?
I usually wake up around 5 a.m. and arrive at work around 6:30 a.m. I work until 2:15 p.m.; tutor until 3:30 p.m.; coach basketball and debate until 5 p.m.; and get home around 5:30 p.m.. Then I grab a bite to eat, work out until 7 p.m.. Plan until 8:30 or 9 p.m. and relax until 10:30 or 11 p.m.
What is the nightlife/weekend-life like in Memphis?
The Memphis nightlife rocks!
How would you describe the Memphis corps culture?
I think that the Memphis corps represents a unique cross culture of America. There are people from all over the country but we all come together under one solid mission – to help our students excel. I have found some great friends and colleagues in Teach For America corps members. We are a pretty tight-knit group and I know I can rely on them when I need professional or personal help.
Do you find that you can live comfortably here on your teacher's salary?
The cost of living in Memphis is very reasonable. The salary given to corps members is more than enough to afford a high quality of living in Memphis.
What does the achievement gap look like in your school?
I teach ninth grade English. By the time many of my students reach my class, they are anywhere from two to six years behind in reading. My goals are based on closing that gap by making up as much ground as possible. Many of my students enter our school and my class believing that they cannot read or that they will never be able to read well. I believe that when students leave my class, they know that through diligence and hard work, they can succeed.
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