Counting My Blessings: the 2016 Louisiana Flooding

At first coughing, the engine soon came to life and spun the propeller behind the boat. A murky brown mix of muddy salt water churns behind the little fishing craft as it pulls out of the dock. Plying onto the bayou, the rising red sun above peeks through an opening in the dark clouds. Its fiery brilliance is reflected on the surface of the water. The boat’s four occupants take pause to admire the beauty of the sight. Little do they know of the torrential rain falls that would begin later that late summer day in August of 2016. The likes of which Louisianans had never seen; a rainfall greater than that experienced during Hurricane Katrina. Yet onto a snake and alligator infested marsh these four adventurers went. Second by second, they sped farther away from civilization and hopes of rescue- if the situation were to arise…

During that second week of August, from the 6^th to the 13^th, I found myself in the musty streets of New Orleans with about a dozen other colleagues. Together, we formed a service project group. Our mission for that week was to assist a local charter school in setting up their classrooms for the school year. The school, Paul Habans Academy, was newly constructed at the time. Its creation was the result of federal aid that poured into the city following Hurricane Katrina. It took some eleven long years for the school to be built. Yet its doors were to finally be opened and our group was to play a small role in that happening.

Upon our arrival to the city, we were met by the warm rays of the sun and clear blue skies as we exited the airport. During the week, however, weather conditions began to deteriorate. A small group of us volunteers decided that some little bad weather was not going to stop us from enjoying the beauty that Louisiana has to offer. What better way to experience the state then to go fishing on the bayou? We chose to embark on our little expedition on a morning which the local forecast promised to be cloudy with little chance of rainfall. The afternoon was an entirely different story. 

So we set out on our fishing trip in the early hours of August 11. That rainfall that was predicted to occur later that day, however, was unlike anything the area had seen in its recent history. We were on the open water as a mesoscale convection system was forming above us. Thankfully we had caught plenty of fish quickly so that we returned to our dock before midday. Rain started to pour from the skies over New Orleans later that afternoon. It was nothing compared to what the following day had in store for us.

I awoke to a pattering of raindrops on my hotel window the next morning on August 12. Slipping into my street clothes, I ventured down to the lobby looking for breakfast. The indoor dining area was right next door to the hotel’s inner courtyard which contained a small pool. The sight astonished me. Taking a swim just the day before, floating on my back with lush exotic flowers flowing off hotel room balconies above me, the surface of the pool was now violently shaking from the impact of thick rain drops. The rain did not falter from escaping endlessly from the dark sky above. It honestly looked as if no pockets of air existed between the drops. It was that dense.

Stepping outside of the hotel into the torrential rainfall, I took in the dark beauty of the sight. I was even compelled to traverse through a puddle of rain water, at least an inch deep and growing ever bigger, to reach an epic looking statue of a colonial French explorer that sits in the center of Bienville Street. I caught a few people, standing under restaurant canopies and door frames, looking at me strangely as I stood out in the rain snapping a photo of the statue. The contrast of the figure in the foreground with the dark sky in the background just seemed like something worth taking a photo of.

The group I was with spent that night at a restaurant, enjoying the company of one another. We feasted on the bayou fish that were caught the morning before. We were enjoying ourselves in New Orleans as locals upstate from preparing for the worst. The next day, over ten rivers in the state began to experience major flooding. They were swelling from a rainfall that was estimated by some to have been three times as greater than that from Hurricane Katrina. Over 140,000 homes in the region were damaged. New Orleans escaped the worst of the flooding. And on that same day as people were climbing onto Coast Guard rescue boats from the roof tops of their flooded homes, I travelled back to mine nestled away in the suburbia of Chicago. This assignment made me realize how lucky I was that week. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time could have easily ended my life.

Best regards,

Artur

Volunteering in High School

In August of 2012, I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Arthur Ashe Charter School in New Orleans with PIES. It was my first time volunteering with the organization and my first time in New Orleans. Essentially, it was one of the best experiences of life. I recommend that anyone who has the chance to volunteer should take the opportunity, no matter the age. At sixteen years old, I was the youngest person on trip, but that did not prevent me from having a great time. I still remember some of the best parts of the trip, even four years later. The work PIES and I did for Arthur Ashe Public Charter will stick with me for the rest of my life.  

I gained many valuable experiences and learned many lessons while on the trip. As a young high school student, I rarely traveled nor had I been exposed to other communities not like mine. I think one of the most important lessons I learned while volunteering was to take to the time to learn about and understand the community you are serving. I learned that New Orleans is much more than the French Quarter and Mardi Gras. We took the bus and walked to our service site every morning. I saw up close what the real New Orleans is like. The vulnerability of the neighborhoods that I witnessed allowed me to see my privilege. It was gratifying to help out the teachers set up for that upcoming school year, but it was also humbling to have learned so much about myself and the Arthur Ashe community. This trip has been the source of my motivation to continue serving. As a current college senior, I have gone on to serve communities locally and internationally. I always take my experiences with PIES and Arthur Ashe Charter School with me wherever I go. 

Another amazing experience I gained while volunteering with PIES was meeting all the great people that I worked with. The other volunteers was such a diverse group in age and interests. It was a pleasure getting to know them all over the course of a week. I do wish that I had made more of an effort to keep in contact with the people I volunteered with. I recommend that any young person who is volunteering with PIES remember that importance of lasting relationships. I’ve learned that volunteering is not only about serving the community but learning how to work with others and taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Establishing great relationships and socializing will allow you to do just that.

I would love to go back to New Orleans with PIES. Knowing all that I know now about service, volunteering will mean so much more to me. I encourage anyone, no matter how young, to volunteer with PIES. It will be unforgettable and you will learn so much. I would suggest to make the most out of every experience and really embrace them. Whatever you experience in New Orleans and with PIES is truly invaluable.

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.

A Week with Paul Habans and Kareem Kennedy

The week that I spent in NOLA this year reinforced my commitment to this annual trip. 

Last year, just over a week before taking this trip, I met a young man called Kareem Kennedy at the Free Minds, Free People conference in Chicago. Kareem was representing a group of young leaders of New Orleans.

We exchanged phone numbers, and he spent our first Sunday in NOLA taking my friend and I around town.  He was 23 years old, a student at Southern University of New Orleans, and had fairly recently published a book, Aunt Alice vs. Bob Marley: My Education in New Orleans. We stopped for a rest near the park and he showed us his book and his scars from the time he was shot.

Listening to him talk about his youth was at once horrifying and inspiring - how had this young man come this far with so many roadblocks? He is intelligent, articulate and generous.  The reason we saw him on Sunday and not on Saturday was because he had been busy Saturday, volunteering at the sidewalk library. Here is a young man who knows the value of education and literature, and of being a role model for youth in the kind of urban American setting where many would and do give up hope. 

Knowing him and his story gave special meaning to the work PIEs does in New Orleans, promoting opportunities for education and learning in post-Katrina NOLA by supporting schools to reopen each year.  Having had the opportunity to meet Brenda, Adrienne’s mom, on the trip last year, I felt inspired to invite my own mom and share the experience with her this year.  My mom always nurtured my love of books as a child and prioritized education for my brother and me. I couldn't imagine a better way for us to enjoy time together and give back.

This year, we spent the week setting up the library, scanning, organizing, grade-leveling and shelving thousands and thousands of books. We joked and reminisced ("Look I found a book about Tyler; it's called P.U!"). In the back of my mind as we worked, I wondered about the capacity of the school and how much value our work added. What kind of opportunities to read books at home had the children had during the past year? I lived in the library as a child. I lived for the book fairs; I would circle all the books I wanted as soon as the advertisement came out.

Last summer when we came, there were other groups of volunteers in addition to PIEs; youth on church missions and the like. There was a lot of work to do freshening up the school and, at first, we worked alongside these other groups painting, cleaning and organizing. After painting the cafeteria and kitchen, we started work in the library in the second half of the week, grade leveling mountains of books.  We had about 5 desktop computers to work from and we worked from two classrooms stacked with tables, chairs and thousands of books.

This year, things were different.  When we arrived, we were the only group there, and the school entrusted us with nearly 10 laptops and 18 iPhones to do our work.

The school looked incredible compared to the first day we walked in last year, when the halls were piled with desks and chairs, the walls were bare and the floors dull and dusty. It was hard to believe children would be gracing those halls later that same week!

This year, we walked in to gleaming floors and hallways bright with inspiring quotations hanging from the ceiling.  Some classrooms were labelled with the names of universities (Berkley; Princeton) and little gold and maroon crowns proclaimed the room numbers next to classroom doors.  There were families in and out of the school, buying uniforms and registering their children.   

Best of all, there was a designated library, full of shelves overflowing with books of all kinds and levels. Classrooms also had their own collections of books, which we also carefully scanned and re-shelved for the teachers. 

Our volunteer team had people of diverse abilities and there were jobs for everyone, from putting tennis balls on the bottom of chairs and desks, to organizing reference libraries, to "eyeballing" books to decide with what grade level they should be labeled. I had the opportunity to work with old and new members of the PIEs family, including two young women studying human services at National Louis. It’s exciting to see the caliber of young people we have around us.

I also got to see Kareem three times this visit, introduce him to the team and buy copies of his book. It was a time for celebration - he graduated from SUNO this year and got his first job out of college as a client advocate for the Orleans Public Defenders. He joined the PIEs group one night for dinner and the Jazz Orchestra at Snug Harbor.  

​

Kareem is one of many reasons I will keep coming back to NOLA with PIEs.  He is a living example of the promise in youth. I know it is always worth it to support education and opportunities for youth to be engaged. Not only will they succeed, they help the rest of us succeed.



Harriet Tubman Elementary School

 

Wow!!  What an experience!!  This was my first service trip ever and also, my first trip to New Orleans.  This trip started out a little rocky for me.  At the last minute, my friend that was supposed to be joining us was unable to attend.  I looked at the weather for the week and saw that it was supposed to rain the entire time I was there!  My spirits were a little low when the trip began and I was very nervous about going and not really knowing anyone.  The first person I met face to face was, the one and only, Eunice!  She immediately relaxed me a little.  She had a smile on her face and was so genuinely excited for what was in store for us.  It was hard for her spirit to not rub off on me!



Lindsay and Amanda

 The first few days I continued to be nervous about not really knowing anyone (I know Erica, but it had been years since we'd seen each other).  That feeling very quickly faded!!  What made it easier for me open up a little and get along with people was the fact that I couldn't help but be smacked in the face with the reality that we were all there for the same purpose.  To help the people of New Orleans.  To help the schools that the veterans of these trips have become so passionate about.  That is what I will remember most about this trip and what, ultimately, helped me to feel so connected to everyone.  The passion for the work that we were doing.  As I listened to people that have been on more than one trip talk about their experiences and what things were like last year, I was moved.  You can hear in their voices, the things that they speak about and the WAY they say them that these trips are more than just trips to them.  It is a chance to connect with people that have absolutely nothing to do with your daily life, a chance to improve a city that was once in shambles, and an opportunity to really give some meaning to your life and your choices. 



With our stations set up, we were getting a lot accomplished!

As the week progressed I took notice of the work ethic of this group.  It was, in a word, insane!  What most people would take as a vacation, time away from their regular job, their kids or crazy spouses, the members of our team took as an opportunity to make a difference.  People were always moving, always asking what else needed to be done after finishing a task, staying late and coming in early.  We wanted to get things done!  We wanted to leave knowing that Harriet Tubman School would have a great library that the teachers and children could take advantage of.
 It was kind of strange how quickly everyone settled into the routine of eating a continental breakfast, following Michael's directions to the school, putting on music and getting to work, having a quick lunch before returning to work and taking the bus back to the hotel.  By the end of the week I'd almost forgotten about my normal life. I was sad that I wouldn't be returning to the school, sad that I would have to part from the new friends I had made and sad that I was leaving a city that I was beginning to fall in love with.  This trip will most definately not be my last.  I truly admire the team that I worked with and each one of them for different reasons.  I will tell stories about this trip for years to come with the hopes of inspiring people to make a difference, do more and find something they are passionate about.  Until next year..... 

 Our first day, this is what we walked into!!!  Thousands of books just piled up in the library and there was another huge pile in a back room!!
 

 

 

 At the end of the second day, this is what we had accomplished!! It may not look like much, but all the books in these boxes have been given a reading level, stickered and organized!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team members working hard!!

 



By the end of our last full day at the school we had organized, labeled and boxed or shelved thousands of books!!



 

 

The Partnerships In Education Week 2 Team        

My week in NOLA

What an interesting time I had during my week in New Orleans, Louisiana. We worked part of the time while we explored part of the time. I tried my first gumbo and shrimp creole at a restaurant in the French Quarter and liked both of them! The school we worked at is the Harriet Tubman Charter School in the Algiers bank of the Mississippi River. We worked in the library, helping organize the books in the shelves. Sometimes it rained (hard!) during our week in NOLA. One of the most interesting places we visited in New Orleans is the Lower 9th Ward, which resembled a ghost town. I even took Eunice and Kate to the Audubon Zoo. One evening, my dad came to New Orleans for a meeting and I had dinner with him. It is interesting how the bus system also goes everywhere like Chicago, but buses come less frequently. I might return to the Big Easy someday soon...

Trip #3... and More to Come

Every year around this time, I am worried about where I will be teaching and what my end of year will be like.  August is always full of uncertainty, but one thing is always certain.  I will be back with my NOLA Family at some point in August, and I look forward to this trip every year.

This year was a bit different for me, because I was on the administrative/planning side.  There were a few hiccups, but everything seemed to go as close to plan as possible.  Everyone went to New Orleans with a vision and purpose, and we all returned with sad hearts that the week had to end so soon.  Every minute we spend in one of our New Orleans schools humbles us and makes us wish we could do more.

For trip 2, Harriet Tubman Elementary called us back this year, and we were a bit nervous about being put back on the task of organizing the library.  I personally envisioned two rooms filled with books that were just kept there and never moved since last summer.  This was thankfully not the case, yet there was lots of work to be done.  Once we were able to see the actual teacher resource library, we knew what needed to be accomplished   There were plenty of books on the shelves and thousands that still needed to be leveled, labeled, and shelved.  We delegated tasks and were able to provide a functioning teacher resource library for Harriet Tubman and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

We made friends, had laughs, ate beignets, and formed an attachment to the work we do in New Orleans.  I am certainly look forward to the next trip which can't come soon enough, but has lots of work and planning to get us there.

Let the good times roll!!!!!

Summer in NOLA

I had a wonderful time volunteering along with my wonderful daughter Adrienne, my Mother and my niece Morgan and working with a great group of teachers from Chicago.  I don't live near my Mom or my niece and Adrienne lives in Chicago which brought us together as the girls family trip out in "Nau Leans", LA.  We left the cranky men home. This trip encouraged me to give more of me to others and have fun doing so.  We all "paid it forward".  I'm still looking back on that week with "Partnerships in Education" with a smile, a short giggle and appreciated insight of the joyful people of New Orleans.  This is a trip I will never forget.  Arthur Ashe is a beautiful school nestled in a reviving quaint neighborhood.  It was wonderful to see the joy and appreciation in the eyes of the administrators, teachers, parents and students. The excitement in the halls and classrooms vibrated through everyone in the building. We learned from them that good things can come your way after a devastating event that changed the lives of the people NOLA.  With patience the students, parents and teachers waited a long time to be housed in such a beautiful building.  My first day (Monday) at Arthur Ashe we organized the IT room, set up computers in several classrooms and then moved on to a few odd jobs.  Day 2 (Tuesday) Christine and I organized the school concession stand. WOW the paraphernalia is really "Sweet"!  My afternoon tasked was my least favorite and that was "leveling" books.  YUK!! Hated it.  There has to be a better wwaaaayyyyy. Grrrr!  It's hard for me to believe that administrators place so much on the teachers by making them level the reading books.  Well I guess it must be done.  That task that can take weeks.  Wednesday, I organized the office supply closet with my Mom and Adrienne.  We worked wonderfully together.  Now, I was very surprised and happy with the flow we created with each other to accomplish that task without any "yappity yak" from any of us three. That closet was whipped into shape in no time. Great job Mom and Adrienne.  Hugs to ya.  Thursday I spent with my my Mom in a Kindergarten classroom.  The teachers of that classroom were the neatest and well organized pair.  Loved it.  They left great instructions and clear directions to decorate their 5 bulletin boards.  Now I enjoyed dressing the bulletin boards with my Mom.  We worked exceptionally well together which doesn't come to a surprise.  She taught me well and I listened. Every evening we ventured out to the French Quarter to window shop and to dinner.  We enjoyed the company of fellow volunteers.  I love delivering "Olympic Breaking News" (when permitted) on the bus and streetcar ride back to the French Quarter. GREAT TRIP!!! See ya next year.

5 Times...

This year marks round number 5...

5 times the friends,
5 times the work,
5 times the sweat,
5 times the cuisine,
5 times the memories,
5 times the laughs,
5 times the love...

I honestly cannot imagine my life without this trip every year. I look so forward to it, that life seems to revolve around the beginning of August. Since last year, I have moved across the country from Chicago, the place that I call home.

Two weeks prior to the trip, Erica and Genie Skyped me into the Orientation so I had a chance to say hello, express my excitement and meet all of our new participants. My excitement surged. Last year I promised and I have since kept my promise to rendez-vous with all of my friends, family and loves, down here in our favorite place. I was able to come in a few days early, to enjoy the last few days Trip One was down here, and see Caroline, Jennifer, Genie, Adrienne and her family. My parents came in to spend another few hours with me, before the Trip 2 arrived. When we all were finally together, on Sunday, we picked right up, as if we'd all never been seperated, chattering, swimming, and getting to know all of the new people.

Today is Thursday, and the bulk of us have left with Tony for a tour of the 9th Ward. The rest of us are here, finishing the little bits of work we have left and blogging. We have taken tens of thousands of books, and leveled them, according to reading level, labelled them with colored dots and letters, and shelved them in an actual library!  This is so very exciting to know that the children, who start school next week, will have a giant, carpetted room, with big fluffly couches and chairs to come into, and get lost in a world of books.

Much like last year, when we spent all week leveling books, periodically someone would yell out the title of a book that sparked a memory from their own childhood, or just something that made us giggle:

"Mr. Popper's Penguins! I remember reading this with my Dad at bed time!!"
"Chicken Soup With Rice! Who remembers the cartoon starring Carole King??"
"Tyler's Shy! HA, no he's not!"
"I Am A Duck!"
"Do Unto Otters!"
"The World's Biggest Baby!"
"The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!"
"Raging Hormones, The Unofficial Guide to PMS!"
"Why War Is Never A Good Idea"
"Quotes From Women! This book is almost a thousand pages, looks like women have a lot to say!"

Most of the time, I felt that this banter bonded us together. Finding such a commonality in literature... Almost like an unspoken, secret language. And, quite honestly, I feel as though laughter is the glue of humanity. If you can't laugh, or even crack a smile, you're missing out on a huge part of life.

Truthfully, after 5 years, this might be what I look forward to the absolute most, year after year: The laughter.

I think it's safe to say that I'm addicted to New Orleans, and our Service Projects. I cannot imagine one without the other, whatsoever. And I like it this way.

<3 Always... 5 times!

At home and thinking...

I am back in Chicago and it is a lot cooler.
I want to thank Adrienne for getting us home. She was my hero! If she hadn't decided to have us all go to the airport we would not have been available for the flight she got us on!  Yeah Adrienne!
I hope Jennifer will make her pictures available to all of us. She was drawing all of the time--and she is a great artist.
Being part of this group was an amazing experience. Thank you to all of you!
Thank  you to Tony for showing us the levees--new and old-- and the lower 9th so I could understand how much suffering there was and still is. I am glad to be a part of  a group that is trying to make a difference.
I can't wait to see all of your pictures.
Eunice

August 2, 2012
I have been in New Orleans since Sunday and it has been an amazing experience from many aspects. First, this is one of the most diverse groups I have worked with. The experience has been very enriching for me. I have learned so much from each and every person. We have laughed and sweated and worked hard. We have also watched the Olympics together.

Second being in New Orleans has been very interesting and new to me. Yes, it has been hot. I am
almost used to the heat. It is raining right now for the first time. I will see what that does to the temperature. I have found people to be very warm and friendly. People on the bus have given us recommendations about places to go. The bus driver always makes sure he is close to the curb so it is easy to get on and off. I was shocked when someone got up to give me a seat--not because it wasn't extremely polite--but I didn't think I looked old enough to get the attention. Oh well! Then there was the lady with her grandchildren who told me not to take the seat because it was always harder to get up once you sit down! The bar tender at Ryan's told us about his different careers. I was extremely  happy to hear that he loved math! and used it everyday.  The man at the mask store made sure I had seen the full collection of masks and then helped me rule out the one that wasn't quite as attractive as one of the others. Our waiter, Judah, was great tonight at the oldest bar in New Orleans. You may wonder what made him so great. It was his love of my giant framed glasses. He made such a fuss over them that it was almost as good as making a fuss over me! Walking around the area with the dance bars and venues for music--including the sidewalks was very exciting. Ending up at the Snug Harbor Jazz bistro with
Delfeayo Marsalis was a real treat. We were all pleasantly surprised when 16 mean cameup on stage with their instruments. There was such joy on their faces as they marched in. It was fun to see the good time they had with each other --and the marvelous tones that filled the room.

I took a long time getting here--but I am at the reason we came to New Orleans in the first place--to work at Arthur Ashe School. Each day we have taken a bus and a streetcar to get to the school. It has been a long time since I did that. We then walk the block or so to get to the school. It is such a lovely place. It is a new school and very impressive. We have met many of the teachers and they are a dedicated group. I loved talking to Chris, one of the math teachers. I think I would enjoy seeing him teach. He sounds like he really knows what he is doing and yet is always anxious to get new ideas....the perfect life-long learner.  It excited me to hear that their new plans involved adding more depth to the basic math understandings. For example, he said they were going to spend a lot of time developing number sense. My assignments were varied. I sharpened 1000 pencils, organized a closet of resources, and found levels for library books.It felt good to be part of a group that was trying to help teachers by doing whatever they needed help with.

I am so glad I made the decision to go on this trip.
I'll write more another time.

Eunicw

NOLA Summer 2012 - Welcome to Partnerships In Education

Teams working with NOLA Schools this summer 2012 are members of the new non-profit, Partnerships in Education.  Founded in March, the organization's mission is to provide service and goods to schools in need.  Our teams will be assisting the opening of Arthur Ashe Elementary School with its move to its new LEED's  certified school building in Gentilly, and building a library and curriculum resources for Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Algiers.   We are excited to returning to these schools which we helped to reopen on previous trips.  32 volunteers continue the great work we have provided the schools in New Orleans since 2007.  Congratulations to our outstanding team members.   We look forward to reading your reflections in our service trip BLOG.

A week after NOLA, finally back to email

I have been out of both cell phone and email range for the past week and while that has kept me from posting to this blog sooner, it has also given me the space to reflect on my experiences in New Orleans. What stands out most to me is the way in which good, honest work has a way of building upon itself. While fetching chairs from the cavernous and overflowing attic at Dibert, I noticed some plastic storage units. Suddenly, I had the new, self-appointed task of distributing these precious commodities to the middle school classrooms. One of the storage units contained a pile some hundred deep of blank envelopes which would now need to go to the office. While carrying those down, I noticed that the borders in the third grade classroom were not done and so another project emerged. With open eyes and the honest desire to help as much as possible, work kept popping up. I began to find the lunch break somewhat annoying--there was so much more to do!

I would also echo Eunice's observation that we, as a group, worked very well together. So well and so efficiently that, as she reported, we exhausted the plans they had for us the first day. Next year, I think they will do well to overestimate all that Team NLU can do when given the chance.

As I mentioned to Karen over dinner one time, before this trip, I lacked experience in volunteer work. Perhaps incongruously, given my desire to teach, I have not historically been drawn to volunteer. So, why NOLA? Why this trip? Quite simply, the opportunity to travel to New Orleans and help prepare schools for the young people soon to arrive combines that for which I feel deep passion--teaching and schools--with a city that is simply magical in its pull. It may be the case that other volunteer opportunities did not combine the content and location so perfectly as this service-learning trip. Suffice it to say that I already plan to go back next year--as long I can be on Eunice's trip.

And, lastly, I realize that there are complexities involved in travelling to a city that has been devastated by natural/human-made disasters with the goal of "helping out." Such a trip can be undertaken with a downward glance and false sympathy that hides the truer sentiment, "I'm glad it wasn't me." Or the journey to learn and help can be taken with humility and the openness of spirit which I felt during our time in the crescent city. On the first night of our trip, I travelled out to Uptown for a yoga class and the owner of the studio mentioned that his brothers had attended Dibert in the 80's and that our work was greatly appreciated. He said that we should keep coming back. I agree.

A Humbling Experience

This was my second trip to NOLA, and it really opened my eyes to the complexity of their educational system right now. NOLA's public education system is run 60% by charter schools and 40% by public schools. The school we volunteered at was called John Dibert School and was located in the Mid City area. This school was run by the public system at one time, but then got turned into a charter school. The volunteer work that we did at John Dibert was phenomenal. We set up furniture, classrooms, made classroom materials, organized closets, set up whiteboards, and also created life-long relationships with eachother. During this trip I also had the opportunity to visit the Ninth Ward. Even though there are families that have come back to rebuild their homes, many still stand vacant and destroyed in the area. I also had the opportunity to see the new levee and to be really honest it's higher than the old levee, but not by much. I hope and pray that another Katrina doesn't happen because I don't know if the new levee will hold much more than the old levee did. Apparently Brad Pitt is trying to rebuild homes in the area. His goal is 150, but right now there are only 20. These homes are "green" and more energy efficient, but apparently cost 300,000 as a whole. No wonder many people aren't flocking to get their homes rebuilt. I couldn't even afford that home, and most likely the families that used to live in the ninth ward can't afford the upkeep of a house like that either. I think it's great what Brad Pitt is doing, but I wish he could make the homes a little more affordable especially since our economy isn't doing so great right now. I plan to go again to NOLA next summer and keep "paying it forward."

3 times, 3 different experiences

So, we went and returned. Can't say that I'm glad to be back (except that today, Monday, in Chicago the weather is blissful). I miss my new friends. I enjoyed the pleasant way our 17 volunteers interacted. It's not too often you can get three (maybe even 2) strangers to live and work together let alone 17! I love every one of you. Thanks for making our trip so easy. :)

As for John Dibert School, I know they are happy we were there. When we arrived on Monday morning, the list of our assignments was rather small. They didn't know who we are. We set about our tasks with good effort and good will. We were finished quickly, looking for more to do. We cleaned a little room and made it nice enough for teachers to use as a work room. We helped ready the library, pre-k facility, and all the classes to receive the students. By the end of the week, we were working with teachers putting packets together, leveling books, sorting teaching materials, putting lettering and reading aids on walls. Three of us were given the task of assigning pick-up stops on bus routes.

Along the way, we talked with new teachers and shared techniques and stories. I learned all the new programs have one thing in common, boost the students self esteem, you improve their focus and goals. It's not new, but nice to see that they are using it in the new schools.

Our tour of the lower 9th Ward with Tony as our guide revealed the progress Brad Pitt's project is making. Tony couldn't get over the fact that "white people" would be the ones to step up to help. Anyway, the project is amazing and I hope that it is competed soon so he can add more to it.

For me, going to New Orleans and helping get ready for the new school year, is a good way to give back for all the good fortune I have encountered in my life. I am always warmed by the good people I meet and reassured that there is more good in the world than the newspapers would have us believe.

Reflection

Ahhhhh, home again, home again. Let me say, it has been a whirlwind of a week......I am glad to be home......but I now also have time for a little reflection. I really have so many things to say about our trip to New Orleans. I will try to be brief, however, I want everyone to realize the impact a trip like this can change our personal perspective of life.

The flight to New Orleans was in general uneventful. It took about 2 hours. I closed my eyes and in an ever so brief moment......we reached our destination.

The weather: hot, hot, hot.....and humid, humid, humid! It was Sunday afternoon, we had the day to ourselves to get familiar with the territory. The group decided to meet at the Gumbo Shop for a quick, delicious lunch; then on to the French Market to see what was happening in the quarter. There was so much activity in the heart of the French Quarter that we really didn't have time to notice the heat, just the hustle and bustle and live music playing on almost every street corner. What a lively city......and ever so diverse! It was brought to our attention that there was a Satchmo festival going on at the Old US Mint.....we had to go and check it out. The music was lively and fun. There were many people enjoying the festivities, having a drink or sharing a treat. After our time at the festival, we found ourselves wandering back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We enjoyed a wonderful seafood meal at the Crazy Lobster.... then early to bed to prepare for our 1st busy day at John Dibert school.

Monday: Our first challenge was to find the correct trolley that would take us to John Dibert school in Mid City. Actually, with the guidance of some "old timers" (volunteers who had been on the NOLA trip before).....we found the school with the greatest of ease! As we entered the school telling everyone who were were and where we were from, it was astounding to see the reactions of these warm hearted NOLA natives. Everyone we spoke to expressed their gratitude and appreciation of our generosity.....however, we had not done any work yet! What a gracious group of people! Our first day of work was rather unique. I don't think the people of New Orleans realize how hard people from Chicago work. Every time we would finish a job.....they seemed shocked that we were done with a project. We all had our assignments, and we all just jumped in and did what we were told. I think the first day they ran out of jobs for us to do because they didn't know we would work so quickly. Many jobs were accomplished that day.......classrooms designed, storage closets cleaned, supply cabinets reorganized, rooms painted and packets made for the students. We accomplished a lot......so back to the hotel for a shower and another outstanding dinner (I must say......the people of New Orleans really know how to cook!) Dinner at Crescent City Brewery boasted another seafood delight. Early to bed.....another busy day ahead......

Tuesday: Another wonderful day at John Dibert school. So many appreciative people. Even the students were stopping us to thank us for our help! More organizing, planning, designing, painting, constructing and in general......helping. I will say they were more prepared for us on Tuesday....the list seemed to keep growing. After work this day, some of the volunteers decided to take the trolley to a grave yard. What a cool place to visit! Along the way we visited a memorial for unidentified Katrina victims. That place will run chills up your spine! It was however, a true example of the people of New Orleans......they felt compelled to create a memorial for those who had no one, could not be identified.....but, they will not be forgotten. It brought tears to my eyes! Dinner at Port of Call this evening. Port of Call is a local pub with the best hamburgers and baked potatoes I have ever had the opportunity to eat! Early to bed........

Wednesday: Again.....another wonderful day at John Dibert school. At this point we were beginning to know more about the locals, people who relocated to New Orleans after Katrina, and about our fellow volunteers. We were starting to get a real feel for the people of New Orleans, why it has been so difficult to regroup from Katrina, and why there hospitality is so genuine. Their stories of the struggles they have endured helped me to understand why everyone is so appreciative of our help and of everything good in their lives. Their stories are sad, but also heartwarming and genuine. What a kind, loving people! After work this day, some of the group decided to take a tour to the lower 9th district. This area was hit the hardest by Katrina. It is also where the levees broke. Tony (our tour guide) told us all about the levy breaking - how and why. He showed us places that used to be blocks of homes.....prairies now. When the levees were rebuilt, they were pushed back quite a distance.....areas that used to be blocks of homes are now inside the new levy. As we drove up and down the streets you could see plots of land with only a cement stoop....the house was totally washed away - no sign of anyone ever being there - except for the stoop. There are houses that are still boarded up....moldy and rotting....waiting to be torn down and rebuilt. Tony told us how people were taken by boat to the highway where they were being flown out of the state.....expected to survive where ever that plane landed. Tony was shipped off to Minneapolis......a little cold for his taste.....he lost everything....but at least he survived. He took us to the community that Brad Pitt is revitalizing. That area was scheduled to have 20 new homes built....that number has amazingly been raised to 50. The scary part is that the levees are still right behind these homes........even though the levees were built a little higher....Tony said that last year, the water overflowed the levees during hurricane Gustav. The tour was very informative. It helped me put a perspective on what really happened to the people of New Orleans during Katrina. It breaks my heart to hear some of the stories, but I am so proud of these people for being survivors! Off to Ralph and Kacoo's for a seafood dinner.....early to bed.

Thursday: Flood watch today.....school is closed, no volunteers allowed - the school was locked down. The group decided to meet at a place called Cafe Reconcile. It is a not for profit organization that helps drop out students learn a trade (waiter/waitress, host/hostess, chef.) The food was fantastic and it was exciting to visit a place that helps inspire and teach young people a trade. It is encouraging to find a facility like this that will help idle youth become successful. The rain was relentless so it was imperative to return to the hotel for a quick change of clothes before venturing out into town. Of course a visit to Cafe DuMonde for coffee and Beignet's is a must - for anyone who visits NOLA....so to tide us over until dinner......we had a little snack! Dinner at Landry's - I totally recommend the red fish! Not an early night tonight.....off to Bourbon street (you have to see it once).....tons and tons of people and live music in every bar. Too noisy for me.....however, we did find a very nice jazz band.....listened to a few songs......then, home to bed.

Friday was our last day at John Dibert school. Many of the volunteers were finishing up projects we had been working on during the week. 4th thru 8th grade students had already started classes. Monday was the first day of school for all classes to be in session. We spent most of the day helping the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade teachers finish preparing their classrooms. When the day was done, I think all the volunteers felt a sense of accomplishment. We did make a difference....and the teachers, parents and students appreciated our assistance. I learned so much about human behavior this week. It just amazes me how people who have suffered and lost so much, can be so kind, generous and gracious. I saw no bitterness, jealousy or anger. Just a true sense of thankfulness for every act of kindness. I really wish the people in our own communities could be as warm and kind as the people of New Orleans. I was sad to leave John Dibert school.....but like I said, there was a sense of accomplishment.....and a sense that I did make a difference. I left with a great big smile on my face. Everyone met for one last dinner together. We met at Red Fish. Overpriced and mediocre food at best. The only meal I can actually say I did not enjoy in NOLA. Early to bed......have to get up early for our flight home.

Now that I am home....I can honestly say this has been one of the best weeks of my life. I helped people who genuinely needed and appreciated my assistance. This community service project helps the volunteers appreciate what they can do for others. It is about working together for the greater good of the community. It helps us to feel like we are a part of something....something meaningful and good. I cannot say enough good things about this experience. It has helped me to grow as a person, learn as an educator and appreciate as all humans should! I am honored that I have had the chance to be a part of this wonderful project - NOLA!!!!!

Cottage Pictures & Library

What a great experience. The teachers and staff at Dibert School were so appreciative of our effots; but I feel like we were the real beneficiaries of our time at Dibert. As a pre-service teacher, I was able to observe and take in a wide variety of tips and ideas for my own classroom one day.

The school-wide emphasis on the values of Focus, Integrity, Respect, Self-Determination, and Teamwork are worked in to almost every aspect of the curriculum. What a great example the teachers and staff are setting for these children by encouraging them to take ownership of these values and make them a part of everything they do. I truly believe that someday, whether it is a mandatory part of the school curriculum or not, I will take what I learned from this experience, and incorporate values into my own curriculum in the future. And for this, I will always be thankful to Dibert School for having us.

There is so much debate over the charter school movement in this country-- especially in cities like New Orleans, Detroit, and Chicago. After traveling here to New Orleans and spending a week at Dibert, there is no doubt in my mind that charter schools create a solution of hope and progress for neighborhoods where safe, clean, and productive learning environments may not be available for children.

A couple of thoughts on New Orleans:

After having Beignets, I will never be able to enjoy a doughnut the same way,

I have lived in a handful of cities in this county; and I have never seen a city with so much pride and unity as the people in New Orleans seem to have. I'm so glad I was able to experience this city and do some work I feel good about while I was at it.

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Service &Learning

This was a VERY ENJOYABLE experience! We were able to dig right in Mon AM. A group of us started in the pre-K "cottage". This was a little house that was across the street from the main school. We met the pre-K teacher & and her assistant and began clearing floor space so the room could be set up for the students that would be arriving later in the week.
During the day on Mon I had the opportunity to talk with Jeanie (the pre-K teacher) about her personal Katrina experience. It's one thing to watch what happened 5 years ago on the news, listening to Jeanie relate what she went through was eye opening. She was able to get out before the storm hit but she lost EVERYTHING when her house was flooded by 8 foot of water! Her experience makes me realize how trivial most of the things I worry & complain about really are. Jeanie was knocked down but got back up and is making use of her many talents @ John Dibert School. She's my new hero!

Life Is A Continual Learning Experience

Well......my learning experience begins with this blog! I have been struggling to get signed on since it was first created. Now, today, our last day in New Orleans, I have been successful. i guess this is an omen.

I can only briefly express my thoughts at this time due to prior commitments and obligations (besides it is our last night in NOLA!) However, in the near future, I will be offering an earful regarding all the wonderful life experiences ..... and things I have learned here in New Orleans.

Briefly, I will say that the outstanding quality of human behavior, compassion and survival skills of the people of New Orleans puts the rest of us to shame! They are the kindest, most welcoming and generous people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. It has been an honor working and learning side by side such exceptional human beings.

I have learned many things this week, but the one thing I have learned about the people of New Orleans is that their Southern hospitality and their survival skills will make any human proud to be a part of this service learning project. I was humbled by their bravery....and proud to say I had a hand in helping them regroup. Anyone who had the opportunity to partake in this project is.....and should feel...... privileged.

I just had to say these few things .....there will be more to come. Thanks for listening!