Why Teach? by Carly Zeh

The first day of class at the beginning of the semester, Drew asked us the vital question, “Why teach?” We all had different answers, but today I rediscovered my passion for teaching, especially in high needs areas.

Today we went to Anacostia Senior High School in Southeast Washington DC. Anacostia High School is a one hundred percent black school that has recently been adopted by Friendship Charter Schools as part of their reconstruction plan under No Child Left Behind. We sat in on classes, talked with students, were able to have dinner with some of the newer teachers, and got to meet the principal as well.

Many students from my class, including those who are from the DC area, had never seen a school like this. I enjoyed observing my classmates as they walked through the metal detectors, down the hall, to the classroom where about fifty percent were truant, and many students read at a third grade reading level. Many of my classmates hadn’t even imagined a school like this, and I truly believe that everyone needs to have this type of experience to realize just how lucky they are to have received a good education in a good neighborhood.

For me, walking into Anacostia High School reminded me of where I came from, and where I want to be again to help students who are in my situation, and show them that they can have a future. I was talking to one student named Dwayne in the “overage, under credit class”, which means they were too old for their grade, and some were even too old to be in high school, ranging from ages 17 to 20, all in grades eleven and twelve.

The two of us were discussing what he wants to do when he graduates, which will unfortunately be a semester later than he should be graduating. When he told me that he’s just not cut out for college, and that he wouldn’t fit in, it broke my heart. However, I shared with him my story of coming from a single parent household, attending poor schools, and not being from the rich neighborhoods that many of my peers come from, and this seemed to give him hope. He realized that if I could make it, he could make it too.

Today for me was a lot about giving back to where I came from. I can’t wait to visit Anacostia again, and hopefully not see all of the seniors that I saw today, because I want them all to be doing something great with their lives, whether it be college, or a trade. I want them to look back at high school as a formative experience, but not one that defines who they are and what they’re capable of. This trip has made me realize how fortunate I am to have a mom who cared enough to push me through school and help with my homework, and I hope that they have that person too, be it a teacher, administrator, coach, or anyone else in their lives that have a positive influence.