"...keep me away from the wisdom that does not cry..."

"...the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children." -Kahil Gibran.

I loathe inequality and injustice. Right now, I serve with an AmeriCorps program in an Urbanish school located in a relatively small city. I have been told, "abuse cases don't phase us anymore," "Um, I don't know where that student is, he's been in the bathroom for like twenty minutes..." I'm in the heart of injustice, and I daily, I see "highers" make themselves comfortable at the cost of a child's education. I've learned how selfish people are capable of being; how have we allowed teacher's contracts and salary raises to triumph over the quality of education we are providing a handful of deserving youth? We have a problem in this country; it's educational inequity. This is not a problem that is in the distant mountains or the mega cities; instead, it's here, it's there, it's everywhere. This is not the fault of teachers, school districts, the government; this is the fault of us, as a whole, as a society. And we are responsible.

Currently, my position at the school I serve is small; I tutor 15 resilient little kids in reading. These kids have become my life and my sole reason for returning to work everyday. They tell me heart-breaking stories while still wearing a smile. I'm grateful for my position and my students; I've learned so much in the 6 months I've had with them. I've learned that my "problems" are so petty in the grand scheme of things. I've learned that being uncomfortable is an amazing way to live life because it prevents complacency, my greatest fear. I've learned that literacy will build bonds and promote peace, if only we let it. Not to mention, I'm learning practical teaching pieces for my next adventure...

In June, I will move to The Rio Grande Valley in Texas as a Teach For America Corps Member. I will be providing youth with quality education, and my students will succeed. For now, I prepare, I learn, and I promote literacy on a local level.

I'm not here to change the world, but I will never stop pursuing my passion; knowledge is power, literacy is deserved by all. I know and I responsible, I am able and I will.