Connecting with Educators!
After my first year teaching, I found out about a group of educators who were traveling to New Orleans to volunteer with schools. Since beginning teaching, I had not done much volunteering. I missed giving back and I thought this would be a perfect way to give back using my new skills I learned in the classroom. Most of all I was excited to be connecting with educators.
Since my first trip in 2008, I have been on 5 trips leading 4. Each trip is distinct with unique personalities. Each year I learn about myself as an individual and as an educator. Most of how I learn about myself is through my experience with others on the trip and the educators that we serve. 
Each classroom I enter as a volunteer, helps me connect with educators. While volunteering, I picked up new ideas for my classroom. Sometimes I get to share my experiences with other educators. Sometimes the connection is as simple as looking at a bulletin board and gaining an idea. Other times, I learn about new ways to manage student behavior and build a better classroom community. Whether small or large, each connection to an educator has impacted me as an educator.Since my first trip, the NOLA Schools Project has become an organization of its own, Partnerships in Educator & Service. As its own organization, the trips have expanded to new locations and new projects. I was excited about volunteering in Brooklyn, New York. I made new friends and as always made a difference.
