I'm a Living Revision

That last entry was birthed from a prompt that Joe thought up in yesterday's class: "What are your dreams?" I flowed my piece out and the kids were thoroughly impressed by it. I say "kids" even though some of em are in their late teens and early twenties; they're attendees of University Heights High School in the Bronx,an alternative school where everyone - staff, teachers, students, the principal - is known by their first names. Bea (aka BKD) introduced me to this motley crew of awesome young people who spit poetry into the eyes of every adversary - a failing educational system, low economic class, physical and emotional abuse, etc. - that dares stare them down. Fo real, it's straight up The Great Debaters meets Dangerous Minds. These kids have such amazing stories and they tell them well. They're bright. They're driven. They're such good kids. Lots of them are depressed and most of them are ignorant of information that should've been taught through the public education system or their parents - but that's okay because I'm in that same boat, sometimes sad beyond recognition and failed by the systems that were supposed to set me free.

I'm supposed to get paid a hundred bucks her "session," and because the sessions are all less than five hours, it breaks down to more than twenty bucks an hour, which helps to make the two-hour commutes worthwhile. But seriously: I'd go even if I wasn't getting paid.

The sessions are classes in "power writing." We (the staff) impart words of wisdom, treat the students as equals, and generally guide their writing and their presentation of their pieces. We counsel them on life's issues, explain through anectdotes, academics and experience facts and history, and generally have a good time.

I feel like I shouldn't get paid because I'm learning just as much (if not more) than I'm teaching. Still, I'm writing Amy (the cool-as-hell-boss-lady) an email asking if/when I can start getting paid for my services. There's an after-school-special/public-service-announcement/Hallmark-card-made-for-TV-movie feel about working with this non-profit organization. Despite the shoddy reputation of the issues we (un)cover, there is an overwhelming feeling of wholesomeness which pervades the sessions. We all have good energy, and we respect one another and want to challenge each other and ourselves. We seek to better ourselves.

This is in stark contrast to the feeling I get when I hang out with lots of my peers. Their lives are steeped in "adult worries" like making money and fulfilling the status quo - so that they're not trying to better themselves. Their idea of a good time is getting fucked up, partying, and getting laid - which is cool, but gets old. What kind of life is spent without asking questions? Without striving to make your own conclusions? Without actively attempting to learn?

For the first time ever, I'm seriously considering going into teaching. All this despite the desire to make a six-figure income and my decision to move to the Philippines. But I'll speak more on all that later.