Day 2.

Bring it on! I literally feel like I have been here for MONTHS! The days are jam packed and I am learning so much. When I think about it, I am learning how to be a teacher in six weeks, so of course I have to invest every single minute. We had our opening ceremony today for institute and it was so great. There was a young middle school student who spoke of his teacher's impact, the challenges of being Latino and doubted, and his plans to go to Harvard. I cannot wait until he graduates, because I know he is going to do big things. As I was looking around, I saw 670 heads in the crowd. That is 670 new teachers that are going to impact and transform a student's life. They are going to send children to college and give them hope. I was in awe. Then I realized that those 670 teachers are going to teach over 2,500 students this summer. If we set our mind to it, we will have that many more children prepared for school in the fall and be that much closer to closing the achievement gap. If that isn't an amazing feeling, I don't know what is.

While I sit here and plan my very first lesson plan, it is unreal to me that I will be someone's teacher in a few short days. I cannot wait to meet my students! While I have that on my mind, I am still thinking about all of the wonderful children from Goshen, IN that I miss so much. I wonder what they are doing and hope that they are safe.

All my love from BUSY institute,

Jacey xxo