...So much has happened. Its hard to believe that snowy night I blindly chose Milwaukee as my next hometown was during my senior year of college in 2010. So much has happened. I came in to City Year as a shy 21-year-old, fresh out of college in rural Ohio and not so fresh out of my urban roots in New York. A newly retired varsity athlete, I was eager to reinvent myself. I was eager to challenge myself, to do something I never thought I wanted to do – work with kids.
In reflecting on my past two years of service, I am reminded of a quote by Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I am proud of the work I have accomplished, the ways I have changed for the better, the growth my students have made, the growth of HLCS and City Year’s partnership – but none of this would have been possible if certain “giants” had not done some serious work before me.
First, to all of the City Year partner teachers – Ms. Holt, Ms. Swenson, Ms. Schmitz, Ms. Jackson, Ms. C. Williams, Mr. P., Mrs. Montemurri, and Ms. Manning – thank you. It is nothing short of a privilege to partner in your classrooms and work together for a common goal of helping students, I stand on your shoulders. To Dr. Baez, your leadership is something I admire, and your partnership with City Year is something of enormous value; to Mrs. Mosely-Magee, thank you for jumping into HLCS with both feet! I stand on both your shoulders. To the entire staff of HLCS, thank you for not only welcoming this year’s and last year’s City Year team with open arms, but also for holding us to a high standard. I love the community that exists within our school building, I love knowing every staff member by name, and I’m grateful to have worked at HLCS for these past two years. I stand on all of your shoulders.
Next, to the 2011-2012 City Year team – Ms. Cassie, Mr. A., Ms. Passionelle, Ms. Lexie, Mr. Payne, Mr. Isaia, Ms. Camille, and Mr. Jake – I stand on your shoulders. You taught me how to be strong and persevere, how to find my voice (and use it), how perception is reality, and how to be comfortable in my own skin.
And finally, to the 2012-2013 City Year team – Ms. Jen, Ms. Erin, Ms. Janessa, Ms. Meagan, Mr. Montell, Ms. Mo, and Mr. Zak – I stand on your shoulders. From you, I’ve learned about the power of reflection, the power of celebrating small wins, and the power of the words, ‘thank you’. You have let me be my complete goofy self in front of you. You all have motivated me daily with your stories of your students and your teachers, your willingness to grow, your unwavering commitment to excellence, and your appreciation for one another. I know you recognize what a privilege it is to serve at Hopkins Lloyd, and I hope you know how much you all mean to me. I will never forget any of you.
It has been an amazing year full of learning, growth, smiles, perspective, high fives, reflection, relay races, tears, and food from Coffee Makes You Black. Would I go back and do it all again? In a heartbeat.
