MTC Experience....Ben...The Grand Finale...The Big Enchilada....

Tammy Pelli. Christian Wilkins. Former MTC teachers. Susan Sheridan. Nancy Kent. Mr. Teague. Life-long Mississippi Educators. These are the teachers who have had the greatest impact on my life as educators. I attended Greenwood High School in Greenwood, MS. I loved school and really did not need anyone to push me to succeed; however, the aforementioned teachers made me want more out of life, far more than Greenwood could ever offer.  My eyes were open to experience new things including attending school in a different environment.  For these teachers and others who have devoted their lives to enriching the lives of our youth, this is for you.

My acceptance into Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC) has greatly altered my perception of the educational system.  Pre-MTC, my patience would not have allowed me to sit in a room with three students, let alone thirty.  Like most of the MTC participants, I applied for the program to make certain that I would be employed for the next two years.  In addition, I saw the program as an opportunity to give back to my people, my community, and my state.  I remember walking into the Guyton Hall on the first day of the program.  If my memory serves me correctly, that day was my birthday.  Walking into the room, I noticed no familiar faces.  I had only been to Guyton a few times, and was not familiar with anything or anyone in the building.  There was some goofy looking man standing in front of the room re-assuring us that we still had time to change our minds if we felt that we were making the wrong decision.  Luckily, I was already confident in my decision. 

    During the first summer session, I had a hard time learning how to write a lesson plan.  First, I did not understand how a person could be graded on teaching with no preconceived notion of how to teach.  In June, I was placed in a room with three male teachers who had nothing in common with myself.  However, two of these teachers were in charge of teaching me how to teach.  Unsurprisingly, I hated their teaching style.  I found myself rubbing my eyes, trying to stay awake.  We really had nothing in common.  What were the powers at be thinking.  I really did not learn how to write a lesson plan until I had the pleasure of being under the direction of Jake Roth.

    Jake is the best teacher I know hands down.  His ability to connect with the students is awe-inspiring.  Jake does not make the students feel like he is a dictator.  He gets them involved, and he makes learning fun.  Jake also inspired me to be creative in my lesson plans.  I credit Jake for teaching me how to be fun and creative with my lessons.  Whatever you do readers, do not teach like James Benjamin Guest.  He is the most boring teacher I know.  He claims that the kids are learning if the lesson is boring….Um…yea…sure! I really have not seen too many other people teach, so sorry if you think you deserve a shot out!

    If there is one regret, it is that I really did not connect with any of the other participants.  Oddly enough, the one person who I have gelled well with is Ben. Go figure.  I was in the process of connecting with one participant, and she dropped out of the program before the summer was over.  My lack of connection with the other participants has nothing to do with race, age, gender, etc.  However, I see no point in getting together with a group of people to grip about the same thing over and over.  I definitely do not see any point in getting together to grip about my students.  There are many times where I had to grit my teeth to keep from getting angry at some of the things said in the various discussions about Mississippi and its inhabitants.  What people fail to realize is that I identify more with the South than I do with MTC.  My views may equate to everything the South represents; however, I was born in Texas and raised in Mississippi, so all I know is the South.  Fortunately, I have enough of my mother’s genes to know how to ease my nerves.  Unfortunately for the MTC class of 2008, my twin sister does not.  I can’t wait to hear that Stina went off on someone in class because some people talk about the South and Southern issues and really sound ignorant.  I am thankful for the class that Dr. Mullins teaches about Mississippi because he provides a non-biased viewpoint of Mississippi and the rest of the South.

    One thing that I do not regret is informing my sister about Teacher Corps.  At first I was a little worried that Stina would not do well in Teacher Corps because she is a newly wed.  Also, her patience was much like mine: non-existence.  It has been interesting over this past year watching my sister grow in her marriage and in her career.  I am certain that she has established a passion for teaching. None of us every expected to be educators. I know I didn’t!! My lifelong dream was to become a psychologist.  I feel like my school is using my psychological services for free!! Now that I have been a teacher for almost two years, I realize that the education system needs people like me who are going to lead the struggle for answers in finding solutions to the plague that overbears our schools.  My motivation now is geared towards being an administrator.

    I have been teaching at the same school for two years (one month to go!!).  Over these two years, I have experienced how effective an administrator can be to a school’s environment.  Last year, our administration on the scale of 1-10 was a -10.  I guess that’s not no the scale.  Our principal seemed to be too afraid to lay down the law. Seriously I felt like I had more ba(($ than him (that was on purpose!).  The students ran the school.  Our superintendent finally brought in a principal who immediately, I mean first day, demanded that both faculty and students were on board.  And if they weren’t, they could go home! Mr. Richardson has given me the opportunity to enjoy coming to work, something that I think all should people should experience.  Now to the good stuff.

    I don’t know why in the world we had to do all of this blogging and stuff. I bet no one reads it but Ben!! And that’s only because he has nothing to do! I feel sorry for the classes behind us because he already just made up stuff for us to do.  I think he sat down and was just like, “I’m going to give them something to do, today!!” in his hyperactive voice.  I actually didn’t mind doing this assignment because it allowed me to think back to last year when I first started this journey. (Check out my portfolio!)  I really cannot believe that Teacher Corps is already over! This summer, I start a new journey! I will be enrolled in the Ed. Leadership Specialist program.  I truly think that I have a lot to offer school systems.  It is my goal to prove just that.