Teach for America

One of my very best friends joined TFA right out of college, in Houston.  I remember going with her to see her school when I was visiting.   This was at a KIPP school (*the* KIPP school?) where the demands on the teacher, children, and parents are definitely above average.  As we were getting close, she said, "This is where I feel like I'm going to throw up, every morning."   And, every morning she completed the drive and enriched the lives of her students.   Despite the daily "urge" she speaks of her time there with great fondness.

I wish you luck!

After slicing a large portion of my finger off yesterday, I finished the online MC questions and the 6 short answer questions.  With vicodin, xanax, and  an antibiotic running through my system, I have picked 10 different regions.  Let me know if you have any info about any of them.

Appalachia

Nashville

SW Ohio

Memphis

Colorado Springs

Charlotte

Eastern NC

Indianapolis

Phoenix

Seattle-Tacoma

I did TFA waaaay back at the beginning, in the second-ever corp.  Back then it was a form with a blank next to every possible position (region and elementary/secondary) in the country.  We were to rank any job we would take with the numbers 1 through 4 to indicate strength of preference.

There were only three jobs on the page I left blank, meaning I wouldn't take it: anything in Houston, and secondary school in Los Angeles.  I didn't make the final cut... until a couple of months later when someone called me off the wait list and asked if I wanted to teach secondary school in LA.

It was 1992.  Right after the unrest.

I took the position.

Maybe they are more streamlined now, but I say whatever you get, just roll with it.

Nashville - I lived an hour outside of Nashville for a year. I always enjoyed Nashville. They have a really fun downtown area where on nice nights people are just eating in outside tables or club hopping. (But if I remember correctly it was a wide range of ages, so "club hopping" may not be the correct term.) It is considered the "center" of Country Music but it's not all boots & hats. I, personally, would seriously considering moving here. Weather here, if I remember/know correctly, not midwest winter but summers can be hot. It would be a longer drive, but it's still very much drive-able to central IL. I think its about 4 hours to Indy, so then another 2 hours???

SW Ohio - I'm guessing this is in the Cincy area. I lived in Northern KY while doing an internship for college. (Worked in Erlanger which is actually where the Cincinnati airport is) Cincinnati area is nice. It's still a growing metro area, I believe. There isn't really much that pops out in my head about living there, there were things to do but nothing really sticks out as being great! It would be convenient for you as you could hope on 74 and be in Peoria in 4ish hours. Midwest weather :-(

Indianapolis - I lived an hour south of here for 2 years. I always wanted to live IN Indy, but I didn't want a 45 min. commute (one way). Indy to me is the "perfect" size city. Big enough to have lots to do, but not so big where traffic is a CONSTANT. (There is definitely a rush hour....) The downtown has been redone in the recent years and is pretty nice. There are areas north and south that are also nice with lots of conveniences. And also, even more convenient that Cincy because it would be about 2-3 hours to Peoria! Midwest weather :-(

Seattle-Tacoma - This is where I currently live :-) I'm guessing you got a chance to visit your son when he went to school here. People ask me all the time whether I like it out here (after I tell them I grew up in the midwest.) We've had FANTASTIC weather for the last few months...so right now it's hard to see the downside. Its one of those places where weather is black and white. It's either crappy or FANTASTIC! And sometimes, those 2 can be in the same day. I enjoy the much milder temperatures - not nearly as cold in the winter and not nearly as hot in the summer! (And the summer doesn't have the humidity like we're used to.) It's an outdoor persons mecca. Tons of lakes, mountains on both the west and the east. Mountains can be used in the summer and the winter. Can basically workout outside all year round....(if you don't mind the rain....) There are 2 seasons here, rain and non-rain season. Non-rain season is July 5th (approx.) through September. Rain season doesn't mean it will rain everyday, you can have a beautiful day in January where it's 50 degrees and blue skies. Down side: plane ride back to Central IL. (Although there are a few airlines that fly direct to Chicago...)

Having lived in the above 4 areas (Yes I get around...) I think my order of preference would be:

1. Nashville

2. Sea-Tac

3. Indy

4. Cincy

However...I think Colorado Springs would be pretty high on my list, but I haven't been there. I also don't like hot, so that pretty much eliminates all the other ones - for me - on your list.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!!! 

I would LOVE to live near my hubby, but right now I need to follow my passion, just like he is following his.  He didn't consider living apart from his family when he accepted the job.  He saw it as an opportunity to live his dream.  I have my own dreams too and right now is a good time to follow them.

I will find out tomorrow evening if I made the final interview round.