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!

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

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!

 

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!

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

About Me: Margo Hoffmann

      Hi everyone! My name is Margo and I am a sophomore elementary education major. I was born in Portland, Oregon but my family moved to Massachusetts when I was 7 and I have lived there ever since. I have an older brother who goes to the University of Pittsburg and a younger sister who is still in high school. I also really love animals and have two dogs and a cockatiel.

      I have never been on an alternative break here at UMD (although I did do one in high school) so I am very excited to go on this one in the spring. 

      I chose to go on this alternative break because I am an education major and I have always been interested in the possibility of one day teaching in an urban school; so I think this experience will be really eye-opening for me. I have also never been to Chicago so I am really excited to visit a new city! 

About Me: Susan Volinski

 

Hi everyone! My name is Susan, and I am a senior Elementary Education and Chinese double major. I was born in Moldova, a small country in Europe near Ukraine and Romania, and I moved to America when I was almost 4 years old. I have lived in California, Hawaii, and now Maryland! I have one younger brother who is 18 years old. My favorite hobbies include running, triathlons, drinking A LOT of tea, figure skating, reading, and exploring new places!

      I also love working with children! I have been a tutor for three years now, and I tutor students ranging from 4th to 11th grade in various subjects. Additionally, I volunteer at an elementary school in my free time during the semester, and I work as a camp counselor during the summer. I hope to be an elementary school teacher one day.

      I went to Chicago two years ago for another UMD alternative break trip and absolutely fell in love, so I decided to go back for a different cause. I love education and positively impacting the lives of children, and hope that I can help and inspire students to become the best they can be. I also hope to learn more about Chicago and the education system! I can't wait for this trip to start, and I believe it will be a very memorable and rewarding experience.