Teaching in the inner city is an idea that never occurred to me until recently. I was raised in suburban Delaware a few miles outside the city of Wilmington. Last year I became involved with the Circle of Hope community. For those of you who do not know me, I am an Earth Science Education student at the University of Delaware and lead a cell in Newark DE.
As I grew in faith and spirit over the last year, I wanted to dedicate more of my time towards achieving the Kingdom here on Earth. A follower of Jesus isn’t a person who attends church every Sunday. Jesus wasn’t merely a sacrifice, but is a living example of how to live our lives. There are many ways that one can get involved in the community with Circle of Hope. For me there was a barrier, blocking me from getting involved in some of the various projects, teams, and community building opportunities. This barrier is a fifty-mile blockade that extends from Newark to Philadelphia.
In August, a wonderful community of people living on Ellsworth St. about 2 blocks down from BW is letting me move into their home. This is very exciting for me as I will be living near my Circle family. Now where am I going to work?
Everyone around me has tried to convince me not to teach in the inner city. My student teaching supervisors told me that it is not a good idea for my first year. I even convinced myself that I would never teach in an inner-city setting because I believed I would get ripped apart, as I am a fairly timid person. I was planning on living in South Philly and commuting maybe 30-40 minutes or so to Delaware. I could spend a couple of weeknights in Wilmington so that I could rely less on gasoline. Here lies the same problem. I would still be living a double life: one in Delaware, and another in Pennsylvania. This dichotomy would eventually wear me down.
When speaking with other teachers from the Circle community who teach in Philly and Camden, I could not help but envy their passion, desire, and sense of obligation to help inner city students. I am wrapping up my student teaching at an up and coming suburban district in Middletown DE. I love every single one of my students, but over the last 12 weeks I have felt as if this may not be for me.
My mom has told me that I have always rooted for the underdog. I have a passion for helping the students who are behind or struggling. I want to motivate students, not just teach them about the Earth. This is why I have come to the conclusion that I want to teach in Philly or Camden. I think it will be extremely difficult, but this is where God is leading me, and I pray that he will give me the strength to survive in this setting, which I am somewhat unfamiliar with.
I like what you’re saying Raleigh. It sounds like you’re a good place; I loe that you want to change the world. Philadelphia certainly needs passionate and motivated teachers.
we’re glad to claim you as a philadelphian!
Thanks Ben!
Raleigh! What a freakin awesome transformation you have gone through over the past year. I think you need to do what God tells your heart, and its obvious that you are being called to inner city - so was I and it changed my life!! I will be praying for you during this time of reflection and decision making, but I think you know where your heart is. Never be scared to pursue something crazy, it’s called obedience!
miss you friend
oh and i vote philly - thats where i’ll be next year
I’m so excited- and encouraged- to read this! Inner-city teaching is a tough, tough road but if that’s where God has led you He will give you the strength that you need to succeed in it. You will be an asset to the education of students in either Philly or Camden- and Randy and I will be praying for you as you go through this journey.