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

Teacher Returns to YES Prep to Fight for Social Justice

June 16, 2011 by Julie Moss

A year ago when my husband and I found out that we would be moving to Colorado, I felt utterly and completely torn. I was thrilled to start a new chapter of my life with my husband but devastated at the thought of leaving my amazing job at YES Prep North Central. I had just finished my first year of teaching, and the idea of starting all over again at any school that was “not a YES Prep school” was disheartening. Big things were happening in Houston in charter school education, and I wanted to be a part of them. I loved my job, I loved my students, I loved my co-workers, and I loved the mission of YES Prep. I felt as if I was leaving my own personal goals at YES Prep only partially completed - as if I had unfinished business in Houston.

When we got settled in our new home in Colorado, I began substitute teaching in both private and public schools while I waited for my new license to become valid. The experience was wonderful. I could feel myself becoming a stronger teacher with each passing day, and I took in every job as an invaluable learning experience. If I wasn’t going to be in a classroom full time in Colorado yet, I was determined to learn something in the process. YES Prep instilled in me the value of constantly striving to become a stronger teacher. I kept in contact with my former Teaching Excellence Instructional Coaches, and they even took time out of their schedules to give me advice on how to handle classroom management issues I was facing. These experiences affirmed my belief that the YES Prep system is an incredibly supportive place to work. I could never have expected to be so encouraged and assisted even after I left my job at YES Prep.

After only living in Colorado for eight months, my husband called me on my lunch break with surprising news: a job opportunity had opening up for us back in Houston. We were thrilled at the idea of being back close to friends and family, and we accepted the offer right away.  As I considered my options for teaching in Houston, YES Prep was always in the forefront of my mind. I literally could not picture myself feeling fulfilled, challenged, and happy teaching anywhere else. I suppose that life always finds a way of taking care of true “unfinished business” because within one week of looking for a teaching position in Houston, I was invited to consider coming back to teach at YES Prep North Central. The answer, as it always is, was YES! I was elated and honored, and I knew that YES Prep was where I meant to be. I was coming home in more ways than one.

There is a spirit in the YES Prep system that I knew I desired to be a part of again: a palpable sense of community and belonging. As I thought back to my first year of teaching, the faces of my 76 inspiring ninth graders flooded my memory. Their dedication, diligence, and commitment to changing their lives instantly reminded me of why I loved my job at YES so much. But it was more than that: teaching at YES Prep in Houston means being a part of something bigger than yourself. It means coming home from work absolutely knowing that what you do makes a difference in the lives of students. It means working hard and seeing the fruit of your labor every single day. It means doing something to change injustice in our society and right in my backyard.

Many of my YES co-workers told me that once you are a member of the YES Prep family, you’re a member for life - I now know this to be undoubtedly true. As I look forward to the future of my career as a teacher, I know that as long as I am at a YES Prep school that I will be appreciated, valued, supported, and fulfilled. There truly is something special about this place.

My advice to anyone reading this post that is curious about our amazing school system is to act - act on your curiosity and tour one of our campuses. Whether you are a prospective teacher, student, parent or donor, give us the opportunity to show you why YES Prep is changing Houston and public education.

Julie Moss will be a 9th Grade English I teacher at YES Prep North Central next year. She attended Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) for her undergraduate degree in Business Marketing before becoming a YES Prep teacher. 

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