Notes and Thoughts

Why do you report to work each day? What is the motivation for your job? I was ale to chat a bit more with the science teacher, Ms. Parker, Friday at lunchtime about why she teaches, espicially the kids in Camden. She hails from Philly, and commutes everyday to NJ. She was working at a small Christian school over there, but the school closed and her principal came to Urban Promise and asked her to come with her. She said she was always good with kids and really connected with them. She started an engineering degree in school, but somehow ended up teaching (I'm not sure exactly how) and started with the under elementary grades. Then, she was offered a middle school position and found out that really loves kids in that age range. She was also actively involved in after school programing in Philly, but had to leave those kids when she moved to teaching in NJ. She is now involved in the Boatworks program with Urban, working with the middle schoolers after school as well.

On a semi-related note, volunteering at CamdenForward School and not getting the opportunity to work with the after-school programing, honestly, has kind of made me feel like I'm in a Urban Promise bubble. While many of the kids come from challenging backgrounds, many of them (from what I can glean from short conversations with them) come from moderately affluent families who live outside of Camden and want their kids to go to a private school. I don't know if any of them will go to the high school, Urban Promise Academy when they reach 9th grade. In fact, one of the students I talked with, who lives outside of Camden, and she (an 8th grader) did not think that Camden could become a better place. The feeling I got in the high school was very different - those students definitely come from pretty rough backgrounds. Some of the students (a very limited number) when I asked what they were going to do after-school, mentioned going back home and helping out with the various siblings at home. One girl even had her own child, Serenity, that she was raising. The middle school kids, however, all mentioned hanging out at the Cherry Hill mall and shopping for clothing as their weekend choice activity. The campus of Urban Promise itself is very safe feeling - it is on its own little corner set apart from most other businesses. Granted, they've had their share of scares, but overall, I've definitely felt a 'safe bubble' feeling around there. Don't worry Mom - I'm still careful when I go outside :)

I'm still catching up with the videos - they always take longer than I expect to edit, so stay tuned!

Also, I'm not entirely sure why blogger likes to double-space the first paragraph of each post....