The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

My First Semester at YES Prep

January 17, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

I am a 9th grade English teacher. Wow. These are words that, if asked 2 years ago, I probably would have never imagined myself saying at this point in my life. As a graduate from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) with a major in Business-Marketing, teaching a group of fifteen year olds after graduation was not in the plan.   It was only after countless interviews and internships that I realized that the fast paced world of business was not the place for me. I longed to spend my work days in an environment where I knew I was going to be challenged while making an impact in the world as well. The idea of teaching had always seemed attractive to me for many reasons; however, it was not until my best friend and YES Prep North Central teacher, Cara Reedy, encouraged me to look further into teaching that I actually decided to give the idea a fair chance. 

Now, as I reflect on my first semester as a teacher, I am blown away by the growth and maturity that has come with teaching at YES Prep. I absolutely love my job. Yes, the experience is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but that is what keeps me motivated and intrigued each and every day. While I was interviewing for my teaching position, YES Prep teacher Katie Norwood explained to me how being a teacher is the ultimate test of the entrepreneurial spirit. I could not agree with this statement more. As a teacher, I have been able to visualize, create, and execute lessons while also building a unique classroom culture. I see each day that I am in the classroom is an opportunity: an opportunity to stretch my mind, my sense of perseverance, and my students. I have learned that there is nothing more exhausting than a full day of teaching on your feet all day, but there is also nothing I have found in this world yet that is more satisfying. To see knowledge and academic interest blossom in the minds of my students is the ultimate reward after a hard day’s work.

Perhaps the aspect of teaching at YES Prep that has surprised and inspired me the most is the family-oriented sense of pride that students and teachers hold for their school. Never in my life have I encountered a place where students want to eat lunch with their teachers, give each other shout outs for random acts of kindness, or willingly work together during and after school to complete community service projects. There is truly a tangible sense of community at YES Prep schools, and I feel both honored and privileged to be a part of something so real. I was dumbfounded when one of my students came into my classroom one day with the YES Prep logo shaved into the side of his hair. How wonderful is it that YES Prep has created an environment that students love so much that they would want to represent it everywhere they go?!

As my second semester of teaching begins and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the onset of a whole new set of lesson plans and tests to write, I am encouraged in knowing that the work that I am doing is making an impact in the lives of our students. And, well, let’s face it, my students have definitely taught me a thing or two along the way. I’ve learned more from them about our world then they will probably ever know. For their enthusiasm and willingness to take risks I am so thankful.  I am a 9^th grade English teacher – and I couldn’t be happier.

Julie Roach teaches 9th grade English Literature at YES Prep North Central.  She is a 2009 graduate of Texas A&M University's Mays Business school where she earned her degree in Marketing.  Julie is originally from The Woodlands, Texas. 

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