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Corps Year: 2007 |
Describe where you live.
I live in Wake Forest, the original home of Wake Forest University, although that’s now moved to Winston-Salem. It’s a really cute area, being really built up and pretty suburban. I live with three other girls who are all corps members and teach in various counties - one teaches in Louisburg, one teaches in Durham, and one teaches in Henderson with me. My living situation has been really great. We are able to be there for each other on the days when we want to cry, and we can just laugh about the funny things that happen at school every day. It’s good to have people who are going through the same thing as you are, to bounce ideas off of, and talk to when you need help. I have a 40-minute commute from where I work, but I really enjoy the commute. It gives me a good chance in the morning to relax and get ready for the day. In the afternoon, I get to call my family and friends, or just drive and think about the day. The commute really flies by.
What do you love most about living in suburban NC?
In general, I really like the region. I like that it’s the best of both worlds: with the rural aspect, some of my good friends live on the lake, but I’m also really close to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill as well, which allows us all the advantages of the city within really close driving distance.
What is the nightlife and weekend life like in Wake Forest?
A lot of times on Friday we have dinner with friends and have a low-key evening. On Saturdays we often go to Raleigh or Chapel Hill. Sometimes, we’ll make a weekend of it and go to the lake.
How often do you spend time with fellow corps members?
I joined Teach For America not knowing anyone in North Carolina, except that I happened to be with two friends from college. Other than that, I had no friends or family here, so I spend all my free time with fellow corps members, which I love.
What is it like to teach in Vance County?
I really like teaching in Vance County. It’s nice because there are so many other Teach For America teachers, and you feel like part of the Vance County community and also part of the Teach For America community there. I go to football games and see the students of my friends who teach middle school and high school, and sometimes my students, although it’s usually too late for them to be up!
North Carolina’s economy has traditionally been dependent on agriculture, especially tobacco and textiles. As these industries decline in rural regions, how do you see that impacting your students’ lives and educational opportunities?
I think it just gives me a greater sense of urgency to tell my students about the importance of their educations. Previously, people had the outlet to work in the tobacco industry, and now that’s not as prevalent. It was an option that served a lot of families and communities well for a while, and now we just need to help students realize what else is out there, that is beyond North Carolina and Vance County, which all comes out of a good education.
What assumptions did you have about North Carolina before you joined Teach For America? How has your perception changed?
It’s really funny being in the south in general. It really is like a whole different world. I’ve lived in New England my whole life. Life here is different from where I grew up, but I really do like the different lifestyle. Part of what I wanted from my Teach For America experience was the chance to live in the rural south for two years. I almost didn’t want the distractions of the city. I wanted to be able to go to Friday night football games. It is nice to be really wrapped up in this experience and get the most out of my time here.
How has your Teach For America experience been defined by the district or county where you teach?
In Vance County, we are all really close. At Ruby Tuesday on Friday afternoon, you always see 10 other people you know, and even just stopping by the district office the other day I saw tons of people I knew. My roommate teaches the son of my colleague. Some of my kids have siblings at my friends’ other schools.
Do you find you can live comfortably here on your teacher’s salary? Are you able to save money?
Yes, definitely. One of my roommates from college visited the other weekend, and she was looking at our house and saying she’d never live somewhere this nice! Housing prices, compared to the northeast, are just much lower.
What is your everyday life like?
I wake up at 5:00 a.m., and then I usually talk and have breakfast together with my roommates, and leave the house by 6:00 a.m. I am often the first one to arrive at school. I make copies, get ready, and take a deep breath and try and sit silently for five minutes, because my kids come at 7:30, and it won’t be silent again until the end of the day. The students are on a staggered entry until 8:15, and school officially starts at 8:15. After school, I usually stay until about 5:00 p.m., or however long it takes me to get set up for the next day. When I usually get home by 6:00 p.m., my roommates and I go to the Y and work out, have dinner together, watch TV, get ready for the next day, and go to bed early. If I get a lot done at school, then I don’t have as much to do at home. My favorite thing to do is get to school early. That’s when it’s most peaceful, and I get most of my work done.
How has your life changed as an ENC corps member?
I don’t know if it’s changed all that much. I’m not a college student anymore, and that takes a little while to get over. Now, I am a really, really important person in the lives of 14 children who I’d never met until eight weeks ago - that’s obviously a big role and an important role. But, I still do things very similarly to the way I have my whole life. I have a hard job in front of me, and I try to prepare myself the best I can. I know that sometimes even though I’ve tried my best, I may not succeed. And, sometimes I will. The only difference is, now no matter if I do well or I fail, I’m responsible for the educations of 14 amazing kids who I don’t want to let down.
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