Why did you choose to participate in the Volunteer Teaching Corps?
I liked the idea of doing something that was a little less selfish than my lifestyle towards the end of college, something that I could really get behind. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and I think there is no greater profession. So to not only teach, but to put money issues aside and look at the experience as just working with children and really getting my groundings first, as a teacher, seemed right for me. And I wasn’t ready to let go of that community aspect of college. I really liked the idea of living with other teachers, being there for each other during our hardest year. I just felt like this was a really good place for me.
What is it like to live on $5 a day ?
I would say during the school year you don’t really notice it that much. ICTC does a good job of making sure you have whatever resources you need for the classroom. So the only thing you might worry about is social life - you have to save up money for that. But it’s livable.
Why do you choose to live simply ?
I think it’s important to live simply in the places that we’re working because you need to have some way to identify with your students. That’s not to say that you know even half of what they’re going through, but at least you can better understand what it means to have to worry about having to save money for this or budget for that special event. Your students definitely come in each day with different worries on their minds. Just to know that you care, you’re showing up and your main concern is not your pay check. Your main concern is your students. And I think that means a lot to them.
How has 'simple living' affected your teaching experience ?
I think simple living enhances your teaching because it forces you to think outside the box. Whereas, you hear about teachers in wealthier school districts who just get an idea in their head and all of sudden they’re running with it. And that’s great. But then you have the school districts that are underserved, that don’t have all the resources, that don’t have the same opportunities. So I think as a teacher, and especially coming right out of college, it forces you to find more creative ways to still get the kids excited about what you want to teach them. In that sense, it pushes you to stretch your imagination.
What's it like to live in community?
I think the thing that first struck me about our community – there are eight of us in it - is that none of us, outside of this program, would have been friends together. Everyone comes from completely different backgrounds. And in a way you just have to make it work. They are your support network. As much as ICTC supports you, you come home at the end of the day and you just need to vent. You need to forget about your day. And they’re there for you. So in that sense, it is really cool how you form relationships with people that in college you might just never have gotten to know. I think you learn to appreciate different things about different people. You know sometimes, they drive you nuts. But other times, they’re your rock.
Why do you think it is important to take time out to reflect on spirituality during your years of service ?
Well I did my undergrad in education, at Boston College, and it was a major component of that program to take time away to reflect on your teaching, on how you could do better. I think it’s an important part of teaching. Just like in life you should take that time to think about how you are doing spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally. Because it’s so easy to get wrapped up thinking “Oh I need to grade these papers, I need to plan all of this, do all this.” But if I make sure that I go in with eight hours of sleep, having eaten a good meal - all these things that take time - in the end I find that I have a better day with the kids, I have a better relationship with them.
How does your community explore spirituality together ? How has living in a faith-based community facilitated your development as a teacher?
One of the cool things about my community is that we’re not all from the same faith background. We have different beliefs, different religions, and it’s cool because we get to learn about each other’s faith and tradition. It’s interesting to hear other people’s perspectives. In addition to doing prayer at dinner time, we talk about spirituality a lot, we do reflections every other week, we do retreats four times a year. It's a good opportunity to learn where people are coming from. And it’s interesting to see how we can all still come together and have some of the same basic ideas - those are what we hold on to.
What are spiritual reflections like?
Spiritual reflections happen once every other week. We have two support people who come over to our house. Reflections can be a prepared thing that your leaders do, or, as with my community, can surround topics you decide on as a house. So things like the school shootings that happened in Virginia, we really focused on that. And issues like end of the year closure – certain moments in the classroom, things that we need to work on, challenges, etc. You can really make reflection as meaningful as you want it to be. It doesn’t have to be focused on who God is in your life or deep questions like that, things that you may not even know yet yourself. It’s really a cool way to take sometime away and think about things that have been on the forefront.
Why did you decide to join ICTC?
I felt like ICTC offered the most extensive support of any program that I looked at. Living
in community with others who are experiencing the same things I am is important, and the
amount of mentoring we receive from experienced teachers and other staff is simply phenomenal.
Best thing about teaching?
I love it when I look into my students' eyes, and I see them understanding a concept for the first
time. Being a person who helps them learn is such a responsibility and so special at the same time.
Biggest challenge in teaching?
Classroom management (i.e. discipline) is such a struggle for me, but so vital. Consistency is
important, and I'm definitely learning more about it each day, but right now it's definitely hard.
How are you supported by the Professional Development Team?
The support I have been given has been really useful. I have been observed (while teaching) twice
a month, and the advice I have been given from those observations has really hit home. We also take
teaching classes, which have given me some good ideas.
What's it like to live in community?
Living in community has been such a high point of my experience so far. Knowing that no matter how
hard my day is, I have a dinner at the end of the day with my community to look forward to helps me so
much. We are all so different, but I'm learning so much from everyone. The teaching ideas they offer
definitely help too.
Do you feel safe in the neighborhood?
I definitely do. I was actually surprised by how nice our neighborhood is. There are rough parts in the
neighborhood, but I really do feel safe walking around in our part. And there are trees around our house,
which was unexpected, but so beautiful and amazing.
What's a community faith-sharing reflection like?
I like learning where people are coming from. We're all at such different places spiritually, but it's special
when people share about what's important to them.
How difficult is Simple Living?
There are definitely some aspects of simple living which are challenging, like knowing that I won't have
much in the way of savings at the conclusion of this program. However, day-to-day, simple living hasn't been
too hard. We eat well, and we do fun stuff, so I haven't really been struggling with it, although I know it's
definitely been more of a struggle for others in our house.
Favorite ICTC memory?
At the beginning of our stay here, one night some of the 2nd years invited us to their house. We hung out
at a park with them, and they fed us blueberries, and so many other tasty foods. It was an amazing break from
the daily grind, and just nice.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering becoming a part of ICTC?
Consider all aspects of this and other programs, and just do what's best for you. Come visit if you can. The
visit was what sold me on ICTC, and I'm so happy to be here.
Why did you decide to join ICTC?
The program emphasizes much more than service. I was really drawn by the other aspects of community,
spirituality, and simple living.
Best thing about teaching?
Having students look up to you and be excited about there being a new teacher.
Biggest challenge in teaching?
Teaching is incredibly emotionally draining, especially when you are working with students who have
so much else going on in their lives..
How are you supported by the Professional Development Team?
Bill, Cyndi, and Tiffany are wonderfully supportive. They always have positive feedback for how we can
serve our students better. They put an incredible amount of faith into each one of us.
What's it like to live in community?
"The community is such a blessing to come home to after either a wonderful or a challenging day at
school. I could not imagine being a first-year teacher and not having the support of my community members."
Do you feel safe in the neighborhood?
The South Shore community is a wonderful neighborhood that has many parts that are thriving. I have
never felt uncomfortable walking around during the day when going to the train or bus stop.
What's a community faith-sharing reflection like?
There were many moments where each one of us started to open up and share parts of our past
with each other.
How difficult is Simple Living?
Simple living is a process, it does not just happen. If approached with excitement and passion, it is not
as much of a burden as it might seem.
Favorite ICTC memory?
The first night back from orientation week, our entire community spent a few hours on the roof sharing stories.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering becoming a part of ICTC?
Really consider the four pillars of ICTC. You do not have to be experienced at them, just interested in
making them a part of your life.