Why Detroit?!

I remember being young, not sure how old, but young enough to still have a pretty big imagination. Up in my parents room, I’d set up a fake classroom and teach my students about the presidents. I’d only ever talk about where they were from, and how many kids they had, but I loved it. I’d make charts, draw pictures and think about what I could share with the “students” the next day.

Luckily I grew up and made real friends, but I kept a strong interest and passion in teaching and education ever since. A couple decades later I found myself applying to Teach for America. Why TFA? Well, I have bills, I have student loans and I live in the most expensive city in the country, so quitting my job and going back to grad school at this moment were not an option. TFA allows me to get right into a classroom while earning my credentials.

Well, after 7 months of being on the waitlist and having a minor panic attack every time I checked my status, I was accepted into the program and given the opportunity to teach elementary school in Detroit. My initial reaction? Holy crap. Elementary school was my first choice, however, Detroit was not. Not that I didn’t want to go to Detroit, it just wasn’t on my radar.

Immediately after deciding to go, I started talking to every person I could find that new something, anything, about Detroit. I looked up articles, read reviews, found statistics and learned its history. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the pride and heart that people have for Detroit. Yes, the city has an unemployment rate of almost 29%, the schools’ ratings are some of the lowest in the country, it’s not known for being the safest place and it’s one of the only cities with a shrinking population. However, living in SF, I think I have a higher chance of being hit by MUNI and the city is comfortable, it doesn’t have to reinvent itself to rise again.

Something I want to make clear though, is I am not going to Detroit to try and “save” anyone, or tell people how to run their city and school. I’m going to Detroit because I’m inspired by the people there, the ones that love their city and want to see people be successful. I’m also going because I truly believe kids are capable of imaginable things when given the tools to do so. I want to work with the schools to be an advocate for students, to have them learn what it takes to be successful years down the road. These schools have every ability to make themselves sustainable and effective places for students and I want to be a part of it. I’m going there to teach, but also to learn. I’m also humbled by all the talent already there, the teachers who have seen it all and I am grateful to be working along side them.

I remember my parents always told me that nothing was impossible. I immediately told them “well I can’t bring back the dead”. I thought I was so smart with that comeback… but I got the picture. I don’t give up, and I’m excited for challenges. I’m sure I’ll have a few breakdowns along the way, but it’s part of the process, the experience and I’m more than ready.

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