Madeline - TFA - Blog 2

Wow time is going by quickly! It’s funny because in high school, each day seemed to crawl by. I guess when you’re on the other side of things days speed by. I feel like Cody and I were able to get some solid work done for Ms. Rockwell which made us both feel good. It’s clear that she is an incredible teacher. I’m envious of her patience and positivity. As far as questioning my desire to be a corps member in TFA, I think today may have lessened my initial fears and apprehension I experienced yesterday. Yes, it is stressful and incredibly frustrating, but it’s such imperative work. These kids in impoverished areas like the one we’re working in this week are already so disadvantaged. Their home lives may be terrible, their schools lack basic resources like computers and textbooks—the least that I can do as a privileged, educated person is dedicate a couple years to helping bridge this gap in educational opportunity. As our group spent some time this evening reflecting on our experiences thus far, I brought forth the advice given by one of our speakers during our meetings this semester. He told us that going outside our comfort zone wasn’t enough, but instead we ought to expand our zones of comfort. A simple thought, but when applied to what I’ve been experiencing this week it has pretty profound implications. Yes, it’s uncomfortable being in the minority. Yes, I felt a little unsafe waiting at the bus stop on the west side of Chicago. Yes, I felt like some of the kids stared at me as I walked down the hallway to pick up copies for Ms. Rockwell today. However I’m learning to just be okay with that. It’s kind of liberating actually. I keep being reminded of the idea I had yesterday, when I saw the couple during first period regarding universal emotions and experiences. On the train ride this morning I was right—I mean right next to a man whom I presume was homeless. A week ago I would’ve cringed at having to stand in such proximity to this man, but today I kind of got over it. It didn’t make me feel uncomfortable or awkward. He was just a guy down on his luck and we happened to be on the train next to one another. So what? There’s something to be said for recognizing and connecting with the very... thing (I’m not sure what else to call this ‘thing’) that makes us human. It connects us and, I believe—if it’s embraced, we humans can start doing a much better job looking out for one another. Here I am talking about mankind late at night in a church on Michigan Avenue. I need sleep.