In my three years in Arizona, my first three years as a full-time teacher, my world got so much bigger. I met new people from all over the country. I established norms in my classroom. I worked hard to stay ahead of the kiddos, never an easy task. Many of my students were from Mexico and South America or first generation Americans and struggled with the American education system. The school had a gang problem. At the end of that first day of my first year I called my mom and asked her to come get me (spoiler alert - she did not!). I was overwhelmed at the job ahead of me. College hadn't prepared me to teach students who were facing challenges that I had never faced, let alone in seventh grade.
If you ask anyone in education, most could tell you a similar story. The plight of the educator has been national news for a while now but it is not new. Teachers are underpaid, overworked, exhausted. It's true, but it's not the only truth. The other truth is that we love our careers, we are fulfilled by them. We could not do it, day in and day out otherwise. We are committed to changing the world, leaving it better than we found it.
This past school year has been challenging. It's fresh so it feels more so than other years. At this time last year I was invigorated by the idea of bringing STEAM to Burroughs and creating a Makerspace. My biggest concern was raising enough money to buy the paint to make our green screen wall. I am proud of what we have accomplished this year. The Makerspace gets used often by our teachers. They bring their classes into the space to use the green screen or spread out and make projects. We are learning as we go how to do more, how to do better.
And one of the biggest accomplishments of the year was not mine. I am so proud of Ms. Prystaloski and Mr. V. Sanchez for the work they have done in creating our All Girls STEAM Club. I have helped with logistics and been a sounding board but the daily work has been all them and the girls who are coming in at 6:45 in the morning or staying for an hour after school to learn about robotics and how to code them. As with anything, the program is evolving into something more defined for next year. We have plans to compete in a competition. We are going to fundraise so that we can provide the students with everything that they need.
When I think about the past 13 years, I am so grateful that I didn't give up that first day. I kept dreaming and it has turned into something wonderful. Right now my biggest concerns are more than paint but they are also just as bright and exciting. How do we keep going, how do we use our momentum for the next year?
I cannot wait to get started in August. But for now, we'll wear our new STEAM shirts this year and celebrate what we've done -- students and teachers together. Education is all about teamwork. It's all about learning new things. And after 13 years I'm so glad that every day still brings new experiences, new challenges and new chances to change the world.
