19 minutes

in 30 minutes it'll be October 6, 2009

i never expected that date to mean anything to me, but to my surprise it represents a tipping point in my inconsequential life. i find out tomorrow the date of my Teach for America final (only cause i'm a boss) interview. i'm nervous. it's an all day interview: 5 min micro teaching, discussion over some articles on the american public school system, quiz over common sense, then the usual stress-inducing interview that comes with most rights to passage.

this brings me to the question that has been on my mind for the past few months

Why do I want to do Teach for America (TFA)?

i want to do TFA because i know what it feels like to be at the bottom of the low socioeconomic ladder. a forgotten piece in the puzzle that is the future, that might have been lost had it not been for the passion of others for true equality. all students in america deserve to receive teachers that are above par despite, nay, because they were born into an environment that puts them at a social disadvantage. i know how important the teachers in my past were in shaping my future. and i know there are thousands of children that not only exist in my position, but that possess the same potential as any other student. knowledge is not discriminatory, the educational system is.
i want to do TFA because i know i love teaching. i have taught/tutored since i was in highschool. althought in the future i'd like to move to a role that would have a greater impact on the educational system, such as a higher level policy position, right now i want to see the issues that teachers are facing so that i can understand some of the challenges of the class room. i believe it will not only help me grow as a organized, dedicated, and knowledgable individual, but that it will also change my perspective on what it means to help a child create their future.
i also want to do tfa not only to shape someone else future, but to shape my own. I believe that TFA will give me time to decide what I want to do with the next stage of my life. I have many interests: science & engineering, education, and business. Knowing that TFA is not a permanent posistion will give me time to explore who i am and who i will be happy being.

i am nervous. it will be October 6, 2009 in 11 minutes.