Summer Wood, Baltimore

A s part of the Chalk it Up to Teachers campaign, Teach for America and Experience Project bring you this teacher's story through an interview

Sumer Wood, 3rd Grade Language Arts, Baltimore

Why did you join Teach For America - Baltimore?

I joined Teach for America in order to give of myself, in order to help launch a child down a path of limitless opportunities. Throughout my educational experience I have been blessed to have had teachers who truly cared about my future. This is a model of service that I wanted to continue with a group of students who are often forgotten simply because of their economical status.

What is it like to teach in Baltimore?

Truthfully, it is hard work. There are times when you don’t agree with all the directives given, however you know as a teacher that you are there to educate students, so you will do whatever it takes to get your students prepared. There are many challenges, but there is no challenge too hard to face. Whatever you do in life, and wherever you go in life there will be challenges. Why not choose a challenge that will change someone else’s life?

What has been the most memorable moment of your teaching experience?

I found this example to be very touching. As you teach you begin to make strong bonds with your students. It is so amazing to see how your students begin to trust and relate to you. One of my most memorable experiences was, one day I was in one of my grad school classes and my cell phone began ringing incessantly (on vibrate of course). As I was driving home from class I checked my messages and found that it was one of my students from the previous year who had not returned to our school. I was so shocked! I called him back and he was telling me all about his experiences at his new school and about all the things he was learning. I was so touched that this student would think to contact his old teacher just to talk. What really made my day was when I asked him if he liked his new teacher and he replied, “She’s not like you, Ms. Wood. I miss you!” Oh, the little things!

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