Institute Advice

Hello again TFA STL! I thought an appropriate topic for this post would be Institute, since it's a common-and often stressful-bond between every CM. I remember going into Institute feeling prepared, but coming out of it with the realization that I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. While there were a lot of positive things about Institute like the bonding, my fabulous CMA group, and my students, all you hear about are the negative things.

Since all of us '08's have gone through the Institute experience, albeit at a different site, I thought it would be nice for us to share some advice with the '09's to help them transition from college to Institute. What are some things you wish you had known before Institute? What are some things you wish you had brought? Looking back, what would you have done differently? Exactly how important were those lovely texts and readings included in the "packet" TFA mailed out to you? How did you keep your sanity under pressure?

For you '09's, what do you want to know? How can the 08's best help you? And how excited are you to be a part of TFA here in STL?

Through the Wire: Remix!

Hello, and happy almost-summer to the STL TFA corps! My name is Kelsey, I am an '08 corps member as some of you know, and I thought it would be a nice idea to resurrect our corps blog before the '09's start their first year. I know a lot of you have great advice to give the '09's, and could use a little advice from your colleagues every once in a while. I thought having a blog that we could check, laugh at, and communicate through would be a great way for the STL corps to spread the love, and student achievement. :-)

Once or twice a week I'll make a post with a theme, idea or question for corps members to respond to. Please feel free to comment, but keep in mind that this is the Internet, so student's names and schools names should be kept to yourself. Otherwise, please comment to your heart's content, and remember: the more you participate, the more interesting/entertaining this blog will be!

I would also ask that, if you have a topic, idea or question you'd like to post up here, please let me know and I'll get it up here ASAP. The more posts the better! I mean let's admit it... we can only check facebook so many times instead of lesson planning.

All that being said, here's the first topic I'd like to post. Please respond to the prompt below:

"You know you've been teaching in the 'Lou when:"

Kickball Tourney Coming Soon

5^th Annual Teach For America – St. Louis Kickball Tournament and BBQ – Friday, August 1^st 5:30PM

Join your fellow current corps members, area alumni, and staff for fun and food at the Old Carriage Shelter (link map) in Tower Grove Park on Friday, August 1^st at 5:30PM. If you are interested in participating in the kickball tournament or if you just want to come and watch, please RSVP to Colette by Monday, July 28^th.

Ruby Payne feature in the NY Times

Interesting article that looks at Ruby Payne and her "Framework for Understanding Poverty." This article is positively slanted towards her but does bring up the critiques of her work in a substantial way.

If you want a copy of her Framework, we've got them in the office for free. Just ask.

Joseph Clementz in his local paper

http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x518433908/Local-People-Rock-River-Valley-residents-earn-honors

Joe Clementz was given a blurb in his local paper.

Thanks for this toformer Recruitment Director Jack Carey, now working for Teach For All. Jack helps country managers develop a solid recruiting operation.

The Maiden Post

Hopefully, this blog will be a quick and easy way to distribute information "through the wire" as Kanye has said.
At times, we'll post links, quick questions for discussion, links, and information about events in St. Louis. The audience is primarily Teach For America - St. Louis corps members, alumni and staff.

Flipping the script since 2002,
Ron