The 'Big D'!

I love this place! There are enough restaurants and shops to satisfy even the pickiest people. I am living in an apartment complex that is within a community of 12 different complexes called "The Village". There are over 10,000 residents, which provides plenty of opportunities to meet people outside of TFA. (However, I love that there are a good number of TFAers living here as well.) There are tons of pools to choose from (which is a must, after realizing there is no more SC coastline nearby!), a driving range and putting green, tennis courts, ball fields (where intramural sports are played, including football, soccer and baseball) a pro shop, restaurant and bar, very nice gym, and miles of walking/running trails! This place is perfect for me!
I have an awesome roommate named Meghan, who graduated from LSU. She is also teaching at Peak, but she is a 3rd grade teacher in the primary academy. We have a lot in common, including the fact that our little brothers are a great deal younger than us. :) We lucked out with our apartment, because it overlooks the country club AND they completely renovated it for no extra charge. In addition, mom and dad came when we moved in and decked the place out with the perfect homey feel. I am so lucky to have parents with great taste, because it sure did make my transition a whole lot easier!
Most importantly, I am in a spiritually thriving community. There are encouraging believers surrounding me both within TFA and at Peak. I have been able to visit numerous churches, both in Houston and Dallas that have welcomed me with open arms and that have continuously challenged me to refine my walk with the Lord. I am still visiting around to see which one will be my church home, which is difficult because they are all so great! After all that the Lord has provided so far, I know that He will continue to light my path and give me direction for the future.

What?..She's a teacher?!?

So, you might be wondering why I am currently a teacher in Dallas, when I graduated with a business degree just last May...Well, let me start by saying that educational inequity is our nation's greatest injustice. An AmeriCorps organization known as Teach for America has awakened me to the shocking statistics, which prove that the achievement gap is real and is affecting children from minority and low-income families on a daily basis. I believe that education is the way to make a better life for yourself, no matter what circumstances you are born into. We must provide EVERY child the opportunity to attain an excellent education, despite which neighborhood they come from. Therefore, Teach for America recruits energetic and passionate college graduates to teach in inner-city schools around the nation, with dreams of bringing an end to this blatant problem. My commitment to the program is two years, but I am not sure that I will ever leave this calling behind until the achievement gap is closed. Please visit the TFA website (www.teachforamerica.org) to learn more about this incredible movement.