20 Memories for AmeriCorps' 20th

August 29, 2014 Alfredo Padilla

On September 12th AmeriCorps is turning 20! To celebrate the service organization and the fantastic AmeriCorps Teaching Fellows and members who have served with Citizen Schools over the years, we highlight the influential work of 20 members:

1.
5 Reasons I'm Glad I Became a Teaching Fellow George Ganzenmuller was a Second Year Teaching Fellow at the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, MA. "While it can be difficult to explain my job to friends or curious strangers, I think it is this breadth of experiences and responsibilities that made this the perfect post-college position for me."
2.
She Took the Time to Care: A Student's Story Esmeralda Soto, a Citizen Schools alumna from Cesar Chavez Academy in East Palo Alto will be the first to tell you about the impact that her AmeriCorpsTeaching Fellow Sarah Partin has had on her life. "Through her encouragement and guidance, I feel am ready for tomorrow’s challenges."
3.
Making Sure Students Succeed by Serving Malcolm Morse served as a* Teaching Fellow in Houston, Texas.* "I feel as if the ultimate reward for teachers is to see how much their students grow and succeed in life and that’s what inspires me to show up every day ready to make a positive impact."
4.
Why I Serve, and Why You Should Too Marlee Henderson served as a Teaching Fellow in Durham, North Carolina. "My first year as an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow has taught me a lot about the importance of this type of service. Everyone has different career interests, but at the root of all of them is wanting to create a lasting impact and contribute to society."
5.
Why I Get Up for Work in the Morning Alyssa Pressman served as a* Teaching Fellow in Charlotte, North Carolina.* "For me, deciding to join the AmeriCorps National Teaching Fellowship was all about the people. It’s hard not to like the people you work with when you’re all there to make a real difference and serve the community. I instantly liked them and knew I had made the choice."
6.
I Moved Back to Oakland to Fight Inequality Nhi Truong served as a Teaching Fellow in Oakland, California. "I want them to know that we may not have the same struggles, but if I can make it, they can make it. And I’m here to let them know how powerful and beautiful they all are."
7.
Learning to Lead by Serving Colin Jones was a second year Teaching Fellow at Citizen Schools Massachusetts. "I almost teared up right there. In that moment, I had an ephemeral treasure that reinforced everything I hoped to achieve."
8.
Despite Shutdown, AmeriCorps Still Gets Things Done Callie Kozlak is the Director of Public Funding Strategy at Citizen Schools. "Now more than ever, national service programs like AmeriCorps should be celebrated and supported."
9.
What I Learned by Teaching Robotics Jared Noll served as a Teaching Fellow at Eagle Academy in Newark, New Jersey. "Teaching an apprenticeship certainly isn’t easy, but like most everything else in life, hard work pays off."
10.
Finding Balance in the Classroom Greg Beach served at Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, Massachusetts. "That being said, finding a balance between one’s own values and style and the practical demands of reality is essential to becoming a successful Teaching Fellow."
11.
It's Not All Rainbows and Sunshine, But it's Worth It Jessica Eddy served as a Teaching Fellow with Citizen Schools New York." It was in that moment, for the very first time, that I recognized the value of my work. If nothing else, I came to know that I represent a steady force in students’ lives, someone they look forward to seeing everyday just as much as they look forward to driving crazy, and someone they know will stick it out with them and for them when times are hard."
12.
Teaching Fellow Reflects on Two Years of Service Amanda Worrell served as a Teaching Fellow at De Vargas Middle School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. "My love for teaching really began to resonate with me when I witnessed my first “aha” moment with my students."
13.
The Pursuit of Happiness: Students Give Back to Community Sarah Partin served as a Teaching Fellow in East Palo Alto, California. "As a second year Teaching Fellow, I can say that this apprenticeship has been a truly transformative experience, not only for my students, but also for myself, my Citizen Teacher, and for any community members that were impacted by these students."
14.
A Spartan Fights for Educational Equality Liz McNeil graduated from Michigan State in August, 2006. She is a Citizen Schools Teaching Fellow Alum. "I think more than anything, I have stayed in the teaching profession because I value the relationships formed with students and families and believe that mutual responsibility and respect for learning is key to success."
15.
Don't Follow Your Dreams, Chase Them! Ashley Kirklen served as a Second Year Teaching Fellow at Eastway Middle School, Charlotte, North Carolina. "As I embark on the next phase of my life, as scary as it may be, I remind myself that I have a responsibility to live out what I teach to my students."
16.
Ten Things I Learned as a Teaching Fellow Jessi Worde served as a Teaching Fellow at Van Buren Middle School in Albuquerque, NM. "Being a middle schooler is very hard. The more people are kind to you, and care for you, the greater your chances of surviving adolescence with grace and success."
17.
A Teaching Fellow Reflects on Fall Semester Sylvia Monreal served as a Teaching Fellow at MLK Middle School in Newark, New Jersey . "I hope I never forget the afternoon that a 6th grade boy, blind in one eye and all too quick to fight, ran up to me to show me a complete 3D puzzle, shouting, 'I did it! I finally did it! It just took patience, just like you said!'"
18.
The Good, the Bad, and the Motivation: Tales of a Teaching Fellow Destiny Waggoner served as a Teaching Fellow at Sharpstown Middle School in Houston, Texas. "As a Teaching Fellow, you’ll have good days and bad days. You’ll have days when you love coming into work and days when you really don’t want to, but you do instead."
19.
Sometimes, When Plans Break Down - Learning Emerges Oscar Robles is the Manager of Non Profit Partnerships for Us2020. He served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member in New Jersey. "I learned a lot from that day – mostly, the power of flexibility."
20.
A Lasting Legacy Jaleesa Jones served as a Teaching Fellow at Ivy Hill Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey. "Through Project Playground, each of our students learned what it takes to become legendary."