Sometimes, I lie.

Sometimes I say I am going to do things, and then don't do them. Sometimes, I say I am going to start a blog and then write in it, and don't. Sometimes, you have the craziest three months of your life, ever.

In June I left North Carolina to attend 'Institute', Teach for America's machine of a teacher training school. I'll sum it up as concisely as possible. Six weeks in the heart of Philly at Temple University, living in dorms again, with almost a thousand other people, and a staff of almost four hundred. A veritable mini-city of lesson planning, stressful and late nights, and almost never more than five hours of sleep. We manned Philly's summer school, spread out over nine different elementary, middle, and high schools. I taught eighth grade science and social studies, and fell in love with a group of low-performing kids faster than I've fallen in love with any boy. Lasting friendships were made, of course. You really have no choice in such situations. The first weeks were hard, but I grew used to the stress and demands quickly, and actually enjoyed myself immensely.

Currently, I teach 7th grade science to ninety-six of the nuttiest, most inquisitive, and wonderful young people in existence. Kettering Middle School is across the DC border in Prince George's County, Maryland. I ride to school with a coworker and, because I stay so late every evening, typically take the Metro home to DC, a ritual that I've really come to enjoy. The job is everything I hoped and expected it would be - challenging, rewarding, maddening, frustrating, and absolutely wonderful. I am very much looking forward to the next two years.