The Fifth Installment of My So Called Blog

Wow! So it was Penn homecoming this weekend and it seems that Penn does not hold back when it comes to celebrations! Campus was dripping in red and blue draperies. Tents for catering and art displays were erected on almost every available green. Custom made Philly’s own soft pretzels were baked in the shape of a P! Campus music groups and dance squads performed their finest numbers for all faculty, staff, alumni and students. Despite losing to Yale  at the football game it was a beautiful celebration! These are the types of events that make Penn a community rather than a school.

Sometimes I find it hard to reconcile walking through this beautiful campus buzzing with activity and optimism and then student teaching in an impoverished neighborhood. Even though West Philadelphia is only blocks away from campus, I am pretty sure some of the students at the elementary school where I student teach, have never been to Penn’s campus. Some students are completely unaware of the football games and musical acts and the opportunity in general going on a short walk away. What’s comforting is that GSE is a socially aware institution that isn’t afraid to venture off campus and embrace the surrounding community. My fellow classmates, GSE staff and faculty are supremely aware of the injustices surrounding urban education and it is refreshing to be in a community of acknowledging and caring citizens.

As for work this week, I have three papers, a presentation and what feels like an infinite amount of reading to do. Lets hope my time management skills kick in (I’ve been waiting for like 25 years)!