I couldn't have imagined a more amazing, productive and inspiring spring break experience. Being in a new city with 14 strangers and teaching students took me out of my comfort zone and made me vulnerable in so many ways. Although I don't have teaching experience, I didn't think that tutoring or grading papers could be that hard. Boy was I wrong. As a communication major, I consider myself a decent communicator. Teaching definitely challenged my communication skills. I remember helping a Freshman with what I thought was a simple Algebra problems. It wasn't as easy as I thought. I really had to break down the problem in order for him to understand it. This incident alone was enough for me gain a greater appreciation for how hard it is to be a teacher.
I think back to the night of reflection when John asked "what is your why". I immediately burst into tears because for the first time I felt I had purpose. I thought about my own story and why education means so much to me. I grew up a Baltimore County, Maryland, an area that also has some struggling schools. Like the students a Muchin, I was afforded the opportunity to attend one of the better schools in my area. My education has opened so many doors that would have otherwise been locked. Before this experience, I never really though about why education was important to me, I just knew that it was. Being in Chicago was my way of paying it forward and showing students that you do not have to be a product of your environment. Because of this experience, I have learned so much about myself and the world. I fell in love with the city of Chicago and return home with 14 wonderful new friends! I am so thankful for this experience.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
They Call Me "BOGO"
If only I had the time or the words to talk about the transformation from "Abisola" to "BOGO." Once again, I found myself surrounded by people I barely knew in a place that I had never been, doing something I wasn't exactly comfortable with--a recipe for an awesome AB experience! Throughout my time in Chicago, I gained a much deeper appreciation for teachers and what they work through as well as the complications in the public education system. Several of the education majors on the trip exposed me to the passion and determination that I had taken for granted during my primary education. The students came to class with a desire to learn and be challenged but they also showed up every day just wanting to feel like a kid. After all, that's what they were! Life can harden us, ripen us far before we're ready to be plucked and shared with the world. I saw how people deal with it, work through it and come out on top!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
What I Took From #ASBae2015
Going into this trip, I had no expectations. All I knew was that I was so excited to travel to a major city I had never been before. Being in the city of Chicago was at the forefront of my mind rather than service, but shortly after arriving, I was quickly sucked into the atmosphere of the students and faculty of Muchin College Prep.
Muchin was unlike any school I had ever seen. When we walked in the first day, it looked like we entered a nice hotel when in fact, the school was on the 7th floor of the high rise building. The doors opened once we reached the floor and my mouth dropped. Before my eyes was a modern looking academic town and I was amused at the fact that a charter school with a population of over 800 students could fit up there. Only in the city I guess. In comparison to the high school I attended, Muchin was very strict, so strict at times that I thought the discipline may be a little over bearing. If that kind of no-nonsense attitude would've been implemented at my high school, it wouldn't have gone over too well with my classmates. What I loved so much about the Muchin students was that despite the strict nature of the school, they understood that it was good for them. After talking to several of the students I realized that the majority of them knew that the purpose of the rules and policies they was to teach them good work ethic and behavior and prepare them for graduation and carry values on to college. The majority of them also knew that their teachers got on their backs so much because they cared. The support and passion that I witnessed among the teaching staff really touched me because that's something my school lacked. All week I couldn't help, but think how much better public schools across the nation would be if their school adopted a similar structure and was filled with inspiring educators who the students wanted to impress and make proud.
Although I didn't apply for this trip wanting to be an educator and still don't desire to become one, this experience definitely confirmed how much I want to be involved with the youth as part of my career. The youth determine the outcome of the future and as they're navigating the highs and lows of life I want to serve as a mentor and motivator for them in hopes of being a voice of reassurance during their journey. My goal is to reach as many as I can and help them all believe that they matter.
All and all I'm so thankful for this trip and that I got to spend an entire week with great people. Unforgettable time!
Muchin was unlike any school I had ever seen. When we walked in the first day, it looked like we entered a nice hotel when in fact, the school was on the 7th floor of the high rise building. The doors opened once we reached the floor and my mouth dropped. Before my eyes was a modern looking academic town and I was amused at the fact that a charter school with a population of over 800 students could fit up there. Only in the city I guess. In comparison to the high school I attended, Muchin was very strict, so strict at times that I thought the discipline may be a little over bearing. If that kind of no-nonsense attitude would've been implemented at my high school, it wouldn't have gone over too well with my classmates. What I loved so much about the Muchin students was that despite the strict nature of the school, they understood that it was good for them. After talking to several of the students I realized that the majority of them knew that the purpose of the rules and policies they was to teach them good work ethic and behavior and prepare them for graduation and carry values on to college. The majority of them also knew that their teachers got on their backs so much because they cared. The support and passion that I witnessed among the teaching staff really touched me because that's something my school lacked. All week I couldn't help, but think how much better public schools across the nation would be if their school adopted a similar structure and was filled with inspiring educators who the students wanted to impress and make proud.
Although I didn't apply for this trip wanting to be an educator and still don't desire to become one, this experience definitely confirmed how much I want to be involved with the youth as part of my career. The youth determine the outcome of the future and as they're navigating the highs and lows of life I want to serve as a mentor and motivator for them in hopes of being a voice of reassurance during their journey. My goal is to reach as many as I can and help them all believe that they matter.
All and all I'm so thankful for this trip and that I got to spend an entire week with great people. Unforgettable time!
Sunday, February 8, 2015
About Me: Abisola Kusimo
Hi Friends! My name is Abisola Kusimo (it's phonetic, don't worry). I'm a senior Mechanical Engineering major with three minors here at the University and am wrapping up in these next 101 days until graduation. I am in love with spoken word and slam poetry and perform every time I get a chance. I chose the Chicago trip because I'm also very passionate about education and find many of the stories that I've heard about Chicago to be very one-sided and judgmental. Since Winter 2014, I've done an alternative break experience for every season. Starting in Haiti, working through North Carolina, the Bahamas, Upper Marlboro in Maryland and now in Chicago! I'm always up for new experiences and thing that being uncomfortable is the best way to grow as a person. Looking forward to getting to know each of you and learning how you will push me as a person.
All the best,
Abisola CK
All the best,
Abisola CK
Thursday, February 5, 2015
About Me: Desiree Harrison-Brown
Hey everyone!
My name is Desiree Harrison-Brown. I was born and raised in Baltimore County, Maryland. I am a junior communication major and law and society minor. I pride myself on being active within the campus community. I was previously a community assistant in the residence hall and I am currently the Community Service and Events Coordinator of the UMD section of the National Council of Negro Women. I love giving back and frequently volunteer with TerpService Day.
I love traveling and exploring new place inside and outside of the states. I spent last spring break abroad in Bahia, Brazil studying themes of race, poverty and criminal justice as it pertains to the life of Afro-Brazilians. I am very excited about my first alternative spring break experience to Chicago. I chose this program because education is particularly important to me. Through my education I have been afforded so many opportunities and experiences that I would not have been afforded otherwise. I hope that I can spread awareness and help fix some of the problems with urban education. I am looking forward to spending spring break in the Windy City!
My name is Desiree Harrison-Brown. I was born and raised in Baltimore County, Maryland. I am a junior communication major and law and society minor. I pride myself on being active within the campus community. I was previously a community assistant in the residence hall and I am currently the Community Service and Events Coordinator of the UMD section of the National Council of Negro Women. I love giving back and frequently volunteer with TerpService Day.
I love traveling and exploring new place inside and outside of the states. I spent last spring break abroad in Bahia, Brazil studying themes of race, poverty and criminal justice as it pertains to the life of Afro-Brazilians. I am very excited about my first alternative spring break experience to Chicago. I chose this program because education is particularly important to me. Through my education I have been afforded so many opportunities and experiences that I would not have been afforded otherwise. I hope that I can spread awareness and help fix some of the problems with urban education. I am looking forward to spending spring break in the Windy City!
About Me: Taylor Liu
Hi Everyone!
I'm Taylor and I'm a freshman cell biology and genetics major. I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but spent most of my life in Baltimore County, Maryland. I have one younger sister who is still a junior in high school. In my free time I like to read, run, and listen to music. At UMD I've been involved with America Reads and Relay for Life. I also hope to go to med school after I graduate.
This will be my first AB trip and I'm super excited for this trip because I've been involved with tutoring for a really long time and I love helping other people learn. I also can't wait to get to know everyone on this trip better and to visit Chicago for the first time in my life!
I'm Taylor and I'm a freshman cell biology and genetics major. I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but spent most of my life in Baltimore County, Maryland. I have one younger sister who is still a junior in high school. In my free time I like to read, run, and listen to music. At UMD I've been involved with America Reads and Relay for Life. I also hope to go to med school after I graduate.
This will be my first AB trip and I'm super excited for this trip because I've been involved with tutoring for a really long time and I love helping other people learn. I also can't wait to get to know everyone on this trip better and to visit Chicago for the first time in my life!
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
About Me: John Hallock
Hi everyone!
My name is John Hallock, and I'll be co-leading our experience with Janet. I'm a senior Accounting major from Gaithersburg, MD. I keep busy on campus as a member of the Club Baseball team, a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and an employee at the Visitor Center. Aside from my extracurricular involvement, I have developed a hobby in pizza-making!
My sister, who is also my role model, influenced me to get involved with Alternative Breaks, as she participated on the AB New York - HIV/AIDS experience back when she attended the University of Maryland in 2009-2011. I was a participant for the AB Chicago - Urban Education experience last March, so I am thrilled to be able to lead the experience this year! I still keep in touch with everyone that participated on the experience last year, and I look forward to making a bunch of new friends who are share the same passion as me.
Over the course of this experience, I hope to learn more about the direction of public charter schools in the U.S. Also, I hope to learn why students, particularly those who reside under-served areas, find different teaching styles to be most effective.
John
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