Member-only story

Two Years In West Baltimore With Teach For America

Jared Powell

·17.5k Followers· Follow

Published in Teaching In The Terrordome: Two Years In West Baltimore With Teach For America

5 min read · 1 month before

100 View Claps

18 Respond

Save

Listen

A firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of teaching in an underserved community

In the fall of 2017, I packed my bags and moved to West Baltimore to teach with Teach For America. I had always been passionate about education and social justice, and I saw this as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who needed it most.

Teaching in the Terrordome: Two Years in West Baltimore with Teach for America

by Heather Kirn Lanier

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1323 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages

I was assigned to teach fourth grade at an elementary school in the heart of one of Baltimore's most impoverished neighborhoods. The school was underfunded and overcrowded, and the students faced a multitude of challenges, including poverty, violence, and trauma.

It was immediately clear to me that teaching in West Baltimore was going to be a challenge. The students were far behind academically, and they had a lot of emotional and behavioral issues. I quickly realized that I needed to be more than just a teacher. I needed to be a mentor, a counselor, and a friend.

Despite the challenges, I fell in love with my students. They were bright, funny, and resilient. They had a thirst for knowledge and a desire to succeed. I was determined to do everything I could to help them reach their full potential.

One of the most difficult aspects of teaching in West Baltimore was the constant exposure to violence. I saw firsthand the devastating effects of poverty and inequality. I saw students who had been traumatized by violence, and I saw how it affected their ability to learn and grow.

Despite the challenges, I believe that teaching in West Baltimore was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself, about the world, and about the power of education. I saw how even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference in a child's life.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have taught in West Baltimore. It was a transformative experience that has shaped who I am today. I am committed to continuing to work for educational equity and social justice, and I believe that my experiences in West Baltimore will help me to be a more effective advocate for change.

Here are some of the lessons I learned from my two years in West Baltimore:

Poverty is a complex issue that has a profound impact on children's lives.
Violence is a major problem in Baltimore, and it has a devastating effect on the city's children.
Trauma can have a significant impact on a child's ability to learn and grow.
Education is a powerful tool that can help to break the cycle of poverty and violence.
Teachers play a vital role in the lives of their students, and they can make a real difference in the world.

I hope that my story will inspire others to get involved in the fight for educational equity and social justice. I believe that together, we can create a better future for all children.

Call to action

If you are interested in learning more about Teach For America, please visit their website at www.teachforamerica.org. You can also follow Teach For America on social media @teachforamerica.

If you are interested in donating to Teach For America, please visit their website at www.teachforamerica.org/donate. Your donation will help to provide more students with the opportunity to succeed in school and in life.

A Group Of Students Sitting In A Classroom In West Baltimore Teaching In The Terrordome: Two Years In West Baltimore With Teach For America