Xixi 3/25/2012

Honestly, I feel nervous writing the "final" blog. It is like a conclusion and I feel I need to write a brilliant blog as our ending story. I am so glad that by the time we left Philly, several of you had not finished your blogs. This gives me extra time to think about it. Thank you for delaying.

March 23th was the deadline for the essay for our ESOL class. In the noisy classroom, a 17-year-old boy was sitting on his chair with his tired face. He was carrying a dark backpack and he had no Macbook on his desk. The most striking feature that distinguished him from other students was his silence. Somehow we looked at each other simultaneously, and he said to me:

"Are you in college?"

I stood up and went to the chair beside him. We exchanged some basic information.

"You look young." He said after learning my age, "You seem like 18 or 19."

"Thank you." I smiled, looking at his sleepy face.

His mother was born in Cambodia. Then she went to Thailand, and finally to America. She gave birth to several children in her long journey, and he was born in America in a spring 17 years ago.

"Do you have siblings?"

"No. In China we have One Child Policy. You cannot have the second child without penalty. You have siblings?"

"Yes. We have the same mom but different dads."

I was shocked. This sentence came out of his mouth so naturally that I could not feel a hint of the fluctuation of his mood. He looked at me with his emotionless eyes, which helped me constrain my emotion in a very effective way.

"Do your parents live together in Beijing?"

"Yes."

"My parents live separately. My mom lives here, and my dad is in Cambodia. He will not come to see us in America."

When I wrote down the paragraph above, I thought that I should have asked him whether he missed his dad. Yet I did not. At that time I felt too sad to think.

"Do you have a kid?"

"No. Do you?" I tried to ask him in a relaxed voice. I found myself beginning to get into his world. I could expect his answer. It was his question rather than his answer that shocked me. He appeared to believe that his life was a normal one.

"I have a kid." He answered in his typical way, "A son. I want a daughter. I like my son. I like my wife. She is from Vietnam."

"Is she in school now?"

"Yes."

"This one?"

"No. She is in a different school."

His essay had barely started by the end of the second period. I urged him to get his Macbook so that I could help him with the essay. He looked away about three times without saying anything. Finally, he stood up and brought his Macbook back.

I checked his topic. It was about cloning.

"Do you know what cloning means?"

He hesitated for a second and said no.

It took me a while to explain the concept to him. Then I found an essay online discussing the pros and cons of cloning. I broke it into several pieces and asked him to read one of them. He used his index finger while he was reading, drawing a fictitious line under the letters.

"Tell me what this paragraph talks about."

He turned to me with his dull eyes. I knew he was not thinking.

"You need to think."

"I'm too tired to think."

I did not know how to encourage him. He was not going to college because he needed money. At last, I said to him:

"At least you need to graduate from high school to get a good job. For your wife and for your son. And you have to think, otherwise you cannot graduate."

He said he knew that.

I was always eager to travel to Cambodia. At the finale of In the Mood for Love, the movie directed by Wong Kar-Wai, Angkor Wat is a mysterious and romantic place to hide the secret of Chow Mo-wan. The boy was also eager to travel to Cambodia, for a much simpler reason. At the end of third period, he repeated:

"You look really young. You are like my age."

"Thank you." I repeated.

The last afternoon was a happy one. The fabulous lunch and the colorful mural made me feel joyful. It was a sunny afternoon. I left the building with three girls. The sunshine projected our shadows in front of us. Behind us was the giant building of JBHS, standing peacefully in the warm sunshine.

That last evening, we drove from JBHS to the church, from the church to #honeyssitandeat, and from #honeyssitandeat to the church. It was an enjoyable evening, with the pleasantly cool breeze and the apricot lights along the river. I was dozing in the back row, feeling exhausted, complete, and empty. On the final day in Philly, I could still feel the cultural differences. I needed explanations of American food, American games, American cities and American urban languages. However, I felt that I was in a car with my old friends. I loved the way that you explained those unfamiliar terms for me, and I loved the way that you said "I understand" when I could not find the appropriate vocabulary. Behind our differences, we shared the same appreciation of dedication and friendship.

Words can be powerful, and words can be powerless. When I sat in my shabby, messy and temporary room in a foreign country, turning my trip into a foreign language, I felt that the blog was more difficult than I had thought. Eventually this vivid experience will become a combination of sentences, and people read numerous sentences every day. It is easy to realize that we should do something, but it is hard to decide that we will definitely do something. I am gratified that at least I did one thing, which makes my blog more than an ordinary blog to me.

Quick Interlude

Hey there #TeamPhillySwag followers,

Just wanted to let you know that due to the wifi situation (aka.'sit-chi-ation') in the lovely First Presbyterian, we had to put off posting some people's blogs. Some of these posts will be a bit out of order as a result.

Hope this doesn't confuse everyone; if it helps, the TL's Vid and Vanessa are going to pretend this blog is like one of those novels where everything is mixed up and you have to solve the mystery. Like, for example:

1. Who is the ghost of First Presbyterian? (We decided MaryAnn could solve that one)

2. Who REALLY won that game of AB Jeopardy?

3. How many JBHS students could Vid fit in her suitcase?

4. What happened to all the extra sriracha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

5. What happens at the end of TKMock?!?!

6. Can we just go back to FBChurch to get free weekly dance lessons?

7. What did Ellen have to do to get so good at ninja?

8. WE HAVE TO KNOW: Did Honey Sit & Eat remove their windows and repurpose them as unhelpful (at best) bathroom mirrors?

9. How many times did Nick, Ethan and Alex P. sneak out to secretly go out on the town? Did they just record the sound of them playing backetball every night?!?!

...and finally...

10. When can all of us soul twins (if there were a word for 16 soul twins we'd use it) reunite?

...some these mysteries, and more, will be solved through these upcoming posts. Thanks for keeping up with the blog, everyone, we enjoyed meeting some of you yesterday! And for the 80th time...

WE MISSSSSS YOUUUUU #TeamPhillySwag

Ellen 3/21/12

Today was my third day at JBHS. After three days of working with students from five different periods, I feel like I have been able to make a personal connection with one student in particular. This is worth mentioning for two reasons. Firstly, I never imagined that I, personally, would have been able to reach out to a student and build the kind of relationship that I did in such a short period of time. One of my biggest worries coming into this trip was that I wouldn’t be able to relate to the students because we come from different backgrounds and might not share any common interests. I found that having things in common does help but it is not as important as being inquisitive and open to learning about the students and being able to open yourself up to them as well.

Secondly, I still had doubts that being at a high school for just one week would make an impact at all, but talking to this student changed my perspective. She said that high school students from a local state school visited her class last year to talk about their experiences in college. This visit made her feel special because college students were willing to take the time to talk to a high school student like her. She also felt inspired (her word!) because they showed her that if kids so close to home can get into college then she should be able to too. Just her saying this inspired me because it made me feel like my actions have an impact and that my week at JBHS will make a difference, if only on one student. I know this sounds really predictable but after today I really believe it’s true.

One last thought on something I learned today. I was having trouble with my fifth and seventh period classes because the students were completely distracted and just would not stop talking and disrupting class. I was pretty discouraged after half the class period had passed by and I couldn’t get any of them to calm down and do their work. This is when I noticed that I could coax even the most unproductive and stubborn students to do some work by simply putting the worksheet in front of them, giving them encouragement, and little by little guiding them through the worksheet. They were surprisingly compliant and were never disrespectful to us the way they are to their teachers. I thought this was interesting and I tried to put myself in their shoes to figure out why this might be. I concluded that if I were in high school and college students came to be our personal tutors for a week, I would definitely feel intimidated around them. The fact that the students might feel this way never occurred to me. This was eye opening because it made me realize that not only did I feel uncomfortable in a new environment, but these students were also feeling the same way. I learned that if I really want to build a relationship with these students, I can’t just start off by forcing them to do their work because that’s what most teachers do. Even as I become comfortable teaching the material, I need to make sure they’re comfortable with me not only as a tutor but also as a friend and mentor.

I’m sad to say that there are only two more days left before we leave but I’m looking forward to new insights and learning even more about these students.

Graham 3/22/12

It is Thursday night, and we just finished up a reflection.  We were lucky enough to be joined by Ms. Adam, our host teacher for the week, and with her fiancé, Michael.  After talking with them, I have been reminded of a couple of things that I think are really important for us to keep in mind as we finish our service this week, and as we continue on, beyond our stay here in Philadelphia. 

            As we have discovered through our service and our reflection this week, dealing with urban education means confronting many complex issues.  Facing up to the reality of these issues is often not something we enjoy doing, so it is easy to walk away from these service experiences feeling deflated or discouraged.

            However, I believe that while it is vital for us to keep in mind all that we have seen and experienced here, that does not mean that we must focus on the discouraging aspects of our service in order to feel that we have learned from this trip.  When you are working with a class of 20 students and you feel like you only have enough time to work successfully with 4 of them, it can be tough to feel like you are making a difference.  But the fact remains that we are here and we are making a difference. 

            In order for us to feel like we have made a difference or changed a life we do not need to have worked with these students for years.  Even the week that we have known these students has (hopefully) provided them with an opportunity to make the kinds of connections between their schoolwork and what can follow high school.  Ms. Adam was an amazing resource all week, and she continued to provide perspective and insight tonight when she pointed out that calling a former student to check up on them every couple of months is STILL making a difference, even if you wish sometimes that you could be there with them, helping them study for each and every test.

            Right now I feel like I have felt so often this week during reflection, meaning that what I am trying to express through words is making a lot more sense in my head, and getting a little twisted on the way out.  However, I think that what I have taken away from this experience goes beyond a weeklong immersion into urban education.  I have been reminded that making a difference comes in many shapes and sizes, and that being a mentor for a week and helping a kid succeed on a test can be just as significant as shooting them a “How is your day going?” when they walk into class. I’m pretty big into making sure that I get a perspective/reality check every once in a while.  I think that this trip offered me an amazing perspective check in the form of reminding me of the ways in which you can affect other people. I could not have asked for a better learning experience.

Jen A 3/19/12

My first day at John Bartram High School was not what I expected. I had learned about schools like John Bartram through my education classes and through readings and discussions for the trip, however, I don’t think I processed the information until I began to experience it first-hand at John Bartram High School. I was shocked by the number of students on their cell phones during class, walking into class late, leaving class early, and speaking disrespectfully to their teachers.  I was also surprised to find how frustrated and apathetic some of the teachers had become. I was amazed to find out that most students have jobs in addition to school.

One question I am interested in exploring this week is why the students are not performing well and sometimes appear or act unmotivated. I think it is easy to immediately blame teachers and call the students lazy and unmotivated as explanations for the failing scores of many students and the high dropout rate. However, I am learning that so many other factors contribute to my students’ inability to learn including the racial discrimination they may face, the poverty in which many of them live, their parents who are not encouraging, and their need to work to help their family financially.

 It makes me sad to see students with so much potential and who are incredibly intelligent and do not have the economic means to go to college. Schools were created to educate students and provide everyone with an equal opportunity in life; however, schools are only perpetuating the inequalities and failing to provide for the students needs.

I hope we are able to impact these students throughout the week and encourage them to continue trying hard and striving for a better life because they definitely deserve better than what they have right now. 

Melanie 3/20/12

The importance of personal attention

Is it possible to be an effective teacher to a group of 20 or more people?

After helping students prepare for an upcoming test in Ms. Adam’s English class, I’m beginning to think it’s highly ineffective.

I had difficulty getting three students to not only do their assignments, but to understand what they were reading. Some students were tired or stressed. Some were coming back from extended absences, and some just didn’t care.

How can one person address all these issues for one student, let alone 20?  It can’t be possible.

There are about seven AB members helping out in Ms. Adam’s English class, and it’s still a struggle to get students to do their work properly.  Considering that this is a lower-level English class, this is a huge problem.

As an America Reads mentor, I’m used to working one-on-one with students. Not only am I able to address their academic needs, I’m also able to make personal connections with the students. If I had to oversee 20 students, I know for a fact that not everybody would get the ideal amount of attention.

I feel frustrated and discouraged that after we leave, these students will most likely revert back to poor work habits. I can think of a few solutions to this lack of attention, but realistically, there’s no money to create a program that partners students with mentors who care.

And just how I felt on the first day at JBHS, I feel completely useless. 

Jasmeet 3/19/12

To start it off I guess I would like to dive into my thoughts about what I was expecting coming into John Bartram High School. Throughout the pre-trip meetings we had during the past few months we were given a plethora of statistics which look interesting on paper and allowed for me personally to formulate some sort of understanding. We were not only given stats but also images and examples of what to expect during the week long process of being at the school. These are great however I feel that at the end of the day when you actually step into the school it feels as though everything you know is suddenly stripped away from you. Today was actually the first day in which we actively participated in our service to the school and the most daunting moment was when we were walking past the line of over 200 students waiting to enter for SECOND PERIOD!! To be honest for some odd reason I felt comfortable when I was in the classes for most of the day. This was probably because to some extent my background and childhood allows for me to connect with the students. By most of the day I mean for four of the five classes I was able to connect with the students whom were placed with me. There was that one class during sixth period which literally knocked me off my feet.  Not LITERALLY, but mentally and emotionally I had no idea what to do. It took me about 30 minutes to recover so that I could show these students that we are here for them and they can ask us anything.

            One of the portions of this trip that I dreaded the most was the reflection process. If it is not obvious already I am not so shy or afraid to speak my mind. Which can occasionally if not almost always be very random. But to get to my point, the reflection process was very daunting because I have never been very good with sharing my feelings however I am very very very content with the reflection process if not overjoyed with how it is going. The rules that were setup by Vid and Vanessa along with some that we added as a group put me at ease; allowing me to express myself knowing that I will not be judged or laughed at.

            Overall I would like to talk more about the actual service but seeing as it is the first day I do not want to flood this up with every single nitty gritty detail. However, I will share with you some of my expectations for the week and some questions that I personally have. Sooooooo, I am hoping to make a very positive impact on these students and I could see that through the first day by how they want to show off for us so that they can be appreciated. At the end of the day, when an individual shows appreciation and compassion for another human being it can change a persons day if not life around. The main question I want to pose is what can be done from an institutional level for the Philadelphia public school system, in particular schools such as JBHS, that can help to make the students succeed? From a personal standpoint, I think that it really starts at the roots of education such as at the grade school level. If we instill a mentality for learning and achieving success at a young age then you can expect those same kids to be more confident coming into high schools. As for the kids who are currently at these under-funded and appreciated high schools the main thing in my opinion is encouragement and reinforcement. Anyhow, what I really want to know is how my peers feel about this question and is something I would like to possibly ask at a future reflection meeting.

            I am looking forward to the rest of this week at JBHS and especially painting the murals among the walls. A little sneak peek at one of the quotes will be below J

“Your present circumstances do not determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start” – Nido Qubein

-Much Love,

Jasmeet Nat

aka SoulBeef

Nick 3/18/12

Our first day in Philadelphia out on the town was a lot of fun. Beginning with a tour of the murals that are scattered around the city was a great way to get a quick history of the city and get to know where things actually are and why they are significant. I probably learned more about William Penn and Ben Franklin that I have since third grade. Evy, our tour guide, was a cute old woman in her 60s I want to say, and definitely did a good job of holding our attention. She went into detail about the formation of the murals, which put a lot of things in perspective for me. I had no idea that it takes anywhere from a day to a year of meetings to come to a consensus about what the neighborhood feels is appropriate to display on a wall designated for a mural. It really speaks volumes about the city and why it’s known for brotherly love – I can’t imagine a Mural Arts Program in Baltimore. The people just aren’t the same; it’s something that you can just feel when you’re there.

After the murals, we went to lunch and walked off the calories on a few mile trek to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, otherwise known as the Rocky Balboa Steps. On Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the street leading to the steps, there was a Greek Independence Day parade going on, which was something extra and fun that we were fortunately able to experience. There were representatives from probably thirty countries, with their respective flags hanging every half block or so along the parkway. After it was over, a lot of the people jogged up the steps and it was just interesting to watch these foreigners express themselves in a place so foreign to both of us. We sat on the steps for a good half hour in the seventy-five degree sun with perfect weather and even better company. Overall, it was a great way to start the trip, especially since we had not really gotten to know one another in the twelve hours we spent together on the trip to Philadelphia the previous afternoon.

Vid 3/18/12

Hey Blogosphere,

Vid was slacking and didn't post her blog online on time. But Sunday was a great day! There was so much learning which constantly warms my heart. We went on the Mural Arts Program's tour and it was a wonderful experience. Philadelphia isn't like any other city, it is full of arts, vibrant culture and tons of hipsters. The entire city is covered in beautiful murals. All tell a distinct story, and all have a different meaning to the community. One of the most inspiring aspects the Mural Arts Program is that they incorporate the communities voice into the mural. They hold meetings, as many as needed, in order to figure out if the mural is really beneficial for both parties. The whole notion of putting the communities needs and wants above the organizations is totes commendable. 

After taking the tour we decided to have lunch at Jake's Sandwich Board, and it was the most delicious, scrumptious sandwich I had ever had. To be honest, I spilt half of mine sandwich (The Firesteak) with Vanessa's (The Garlic Bomb) and both were heavenly. The Firesteak had this giant pepper that was breaded and fired sitting on top of this mix of super spicy steak and provolone. The Garlic Bomb, was bombtastic. Really deserved the reviews it got!

Post lunch, in-order to avoid a food coma, some of the participants suggested that we walk instead of drive to the Rocky Steps, at the Philadelphia Art Museum. Even though we got lost getting there, it was quite fun. As we ran up the steps, we cheered each other on and sang the tune of the film. The most relaxing experience I have had in the past few days was sitting at the top of the steps, soaking in the sun, and enjoying the company of our amazing group! On our walk back Graham and Jasmeet, got me kind of addicting to ghosting our participants. And in my humble opinion I have become to quite decent at it, my ghosting goal for the rest of the week is to ghost Ms. Adam. 

This week is going so well! I love Bartram, I love our group, and I love AB!

It's Almost Happening!?

You've applied to the trip. You've come to the meetings. You've even added to the "Philly's Infinite Playlist." 

...or maybe you're just interested in following the #TeamPhillySwag process (that's the hashtag, get used to it).

Either way, now it's basically time to get going! This trip has been almost a year in the making (more like 9 months, but wow! Whole human beings take that long to be invented), so it's gonna be amazing! Thanks for coming with us all on this journey that starts tomorrow at noon. 

Hold tight, and we'll see you in Philadelphia:

What Are Your Plans For Sunday?

Going on the Mural Mile Walking Tour, obviously. At least, those are your plans if  you've decided to come with UMD AB Philadelphia on our epic journey!

The city's Mural Arts Program runs with the idea that art ignites change, striving to "[unite] artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives."

That's something to be proud of! That's why we'll be meeting with the MAP to celebrate and learn more about the culture of Philly, or the "Mural Capital of the World," before the start of our service.

So get excited! Because:

http://muralarts.org/tour

Hello, Internet!

"We may not be the coolest Trip Leaders, but we have the COOLEST people as participants!" - 1/2 of the dynamic duo leading UMD ASB to Philadelphia this year.

That statement is half true*. While you try to figure out which half, let us welcome you to the internet home of this year's AB trip exploring the Urban Education system, both nationally and internationally!

We'll be posting here as a group throughout the trip (and afterwards!) but until then, check back every once and a while to see what we're doing to prepare! THANKS, and we'll see you in Philly!

(*answer: the first half was wrong, we are the coolest.....along with all the other awesome TL's this year!)