Hot for Teacher

Well the fateful day has come and gone, and the MCAT scores are set in stone. I'm very happy with my score (34), especially since it means I don't have to take the test again! This puts me in very good shape for Texas schools, and about average for the out of state schools. After attending the Health Professions fair, and talking to the awesome 4th year med students from UTHSC-San Antonio, that might be the top of my list. They have a great MD/MPH program that is only 4 years long! And the med students said that all of their friends in the program absolutely love it, especially to overseas component. And you can't beat the price! Now on to letters of rec, personal statement and shadowing! Still so much to do!

Most of my time this semester has been devoted to a UTeach class called "Science Outreach in Elementary Schools". Sounds awesome, right? Wrong. It is my worst class, and has taken so much of my free time that my other classes are suffering. I've spent the past couple of weeks writing an entire lesson plan, all outside of class, with a very unhelpful partner and section leaders. This class is so unorganized and requires a ridiculous amount of time.

However the actual teaching part is amazing. I teach 5th grade at Zilker Elementary. The kids are so excited to learn, and ask great questions. They really enjoy science, and are so patient with me and my partner as we learn to teach. And our teacher, Mrs. Pena, is so nice and helpful. So needless to say, when I heard about the ridiculous cuts proposed in Wisconsin to the teacher's union, I was disgusted. Just take a look at this Daily Show clip.

Do those conservative commentators think they would be anywhere without their public school teachers?! It takes so much tireless work to teach every subject every day, as many of the grade school teachers do. I bet NONE of those commentators could do a teacher's job. I was amazed at how difficult it was to just do a science lesson that was already written for you.

School cuts are hitting us here in Austin. Zilker Elementary is under threat to be closed due to AISD budget cuts. It is such a great school in a great neighborhood, and it has so much history. The parents and teachers are doing everything they can to convince the school board to reconsider:
http://www.kvue.com/news/Parents-fight-to-keep-south-Austin-schools-open-113234439.html

All citizens of our country have benefited from the tireless work of teachers, and now, more than ever, they need our help!!