We Will.

I guess make a euphemism of what I'm about to say. I could say that "Wow, I sure have learned a lot and this has been a growing experience" which is all true. However, that nice, flowery language just doesn't quite capture how I'm feeling at the moment. After eight hours of sleep in the last 48 hours, two completed lesson plans, a classroom management plan and an established classroom, I think it's safe to say that the last 48-hours have been the most draining of my entire life.

Sure, I jumped through the hoops and made it through college, but at least there we had freedom. Here, TFA has every single second planned for you down to bathroom breaks. Maybe I'm just not used to the structure. As much as I could complain, though, it'd all be in vain. The people who are teaching me here are truly members of the Teach for America Hall of Fame, so I should really be taking a page from their book. We even got to hear Wendy Kopp, the visionary and founder of Teach for America, speak on Tuesday night. So, even though I'm exhausted and feeling a little nervous about teaching math, I'm just trying to soak it all in and learn as much as I can.

Today, we were trained in how to use the school's grade book system. We were able to see our entire roster (complete with pictures) and view our students grade level and contact information. My heart sank when I saw that I'd have 36 students. 36?! How are these kids ever supposed to learn when they have so many students and only one teacher in their classroom? I was even more distraught when I visited my classroom. There were barely enough chairs for students, and I'll have to try to cram my students into small workspaces since the room barely holds enough tables. The walls rattle a little every few minutes when a jet passes overhead, and the light makes an annoying buzzing sound constantly. We don't have an overhead projector or any type of technology, so I'll be making a lot of posters. Good thing I brought my Sharpies! Also, there aren't enough textbooks for all the students, and they aren't allowed to take them home. How are they supposed to practice? I'm going to have to get creative.

In all seriousness, it's just not fair that these students are taught in such an unwelcoming environment. I am feeling a little downtrodden at the realities of the education inequities that divide our nation at its core, but I know as soon as I meet my students my hopes will rise again. Together, we will rally to overcome the unfair barriers that stand in front of them.

Every single one of my students will pass this class and master their objectives because failure simple isn't an option.