Favorite MTC Posts
I'm working on my last two posts about attrition: a post on ambiguity and then a conclusion post. In working on the ambiguity post, which I hope to have up by Sunday, I started reading through some of the MTC Class of 2005's final blog entries (they finished in May of 2007), reflecting back on their Teacher Corps experience. Here are some of my favorites:
Elizabeth Savage: What seems impossible is simply a challenge to be met-- logically, step by step, one obstacle at a time. It's important, always, to remember the necessity of self-discipline. I think of this, in a large part, as growing up-- realizing the direct connection between action and consequence, between method and result.
To sum it up, Teacher Corps is where I finally became an adult in anything more than name. To know what is important to me, to set a goal, to ultimately create a meaningful and significant positive impact-- this is what will justify my existence on this planet, this is what makes my life worth living, this is what I can accomplish, now that I have learned order and discipline. For me, a life ruled by ego and unmitigated by compassion would be a waste of time.
Robbie Pollack: I remember reading that the University of Mississippi had banned sticks in its stadium, in an effort to reduce the number of Confederate flags at games without overtly violating first amendment freedoms. There was quite a hullabaloo apparently. I laughed about it, I think. I doubt I would have been confident to say that no such place existed, that no such controversy would erupt, that nobody cared about or took seriously that sort of thing, but I was surprised by it anyway. It seemed so strange and quaint. So archaic. I probably reflected on it for a few seconds, but if I had a thousand years I don't think it would have occurred to me that I might one day live and work in that state, attend courses at and be awarded a degree from that very school.
Dave Molina (and I have to say this is one of my favorite posts any MTCer has written. Dave was decidedly unexcited about writing this final reflection [it was the last required MTC post, hence the "give me my cake" line at the end] but I think he did a fantastic job in describing his experience over the two years starting with...): spring '05 wherein the protagonist applies to a slew of teaching programs: MTC, Worldteach, TFA, etc. ben guest contacts him and is very persuasive. plans are made to come to mississippi and teach math, rather than go to china again, or to continue the TFA process. primary selling point: intimacy of small program, organizational support, and free master's degree.
Jake Roth (fitting that he comes after Dave): But this isn’t what I want to talk about. I want to talk about AK. AK was a soft-spoken 4th-period honors freshman whom I failed. Sure, heearned a 60% or whatever – but I failed him. I had him so many times, and not once did I actually win.
Ugly Cake: MTC has been an incredibly memorable experience, as I’m sure the first two years of teaching always are, but I can’t say it’s been the best time of my life. I can say it has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s been a time when all your weaknesses and faults are exposed and are exaggerated. Your life rarely goes outside of teaching, planning, or grading, as is evident by the constant vis-à-vis marker remnants on fingers and how conversations too often revolve around what James did or what the principal didn’t do or what Rachel said.
Matt Lochen: The Mississippi Teacher Corps produced some of the finest teachers I have known and it has been a privilege working and learning along side them throughout the past two years.
Anderson Heston: I write this at the close of one chapter of my life and the opening of another. I have survived my two years in the wilderness, and I am stronger for it. I can think of nothing harder than getting up every morning and getting up in front of those kids. I have been knocked about like no other, but I am still here to tell my story.
Reading over this post, before I hit the "Save" button on Vox that will present this for the world to read, I feel...
Wonder. At how many great writers have come through this program.
Nostalgia. I am going on five years as program manager. Groups have come and gone...
Pride. I played a part in bringing these incredible individuals to the students of Mississippi.
My Groups
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Mississippi Teacher Corps Updated: 7 days ago
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Peace Corps Updated: Nov 28, 2007
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Mississippi Teacher Corps (host) Updated: May 15, 2007
