Episode 1: Induction

Hello, hello!  I didn't feel like doing homework... so why not start a blog, which I will have a total of 0:00 to update over the next 2 years?  So here it is!  I'm five weeks out from graduation from Whitworth, and in the mean time, have traveled through Argentina and Uruguay with the Whitworth Choir, gone home for 2 days to unpack/repack, and driven down to Phoenix, Arizona, to join the Teach for America movement in providing high quality education to kids in under-performing, high-needs schools.  A whirlwind summer, and I'm excited to see what God has planned next.

The first week was Induction- yes, like joining a cult.  Except without the Kool-Aid...  It was our introduction into the Teach for America program- why we're here, what our goals are for the next two years, etc.  As well as plenty of social activities, both planned (Diamondbacks baseball game!) and unplanned (....)- more or less an adult version of Traditiation, or College Orientation.

Then last weekend we moved to the ASU dorms to relive some of college life, while we go through Institute.  Basically, Institute is teacher boot camp.  Schedule:

5am (became 5:30 as the week went on): Alarm, don teacher attire, breakfast

6:15am: board bus for elementary school.

7am: begin training classes on lesson planning, classroom management, investment strategies, and my personal favorite: an entire 90-minute class on being assertive.

4:30pm: head back to ASU.  

Evening: sometimes more classes, sometimes just tons of homework writing lesson plans, etc.

On Monday, we add summer school to that schedule- I'll be teach 6th grade Math and Reading with a team of 3 other TFAers.  I'm excited to get to know the kids and put some perspective on why I'm here.  

Socially, it has been pretty tough situation.  Being in a full-blown secular environment, I have realized just how sheltered I've been up until now.  God is giving me a lot to think about, and I think these years are going to be full of a lot of growth and maturity for me!  I am grateful to have already found an awesome bilingual church in downtown Phoenix!  So glad to have the opportunity to connect there!

I am going to head to bed, but I would love to hear from anyone and everyone of you!  I have a mailing address just for during Institute if you want to send me some love ;)

Sarah Bratton

711 E. Lemon St.

#3691 HAV

Tempe, AZ 85281

OR sarah.lynn.bratton@gmail.com

With hope and love,

Sarah