Well, this makes things interesting…

November 17th, 2008 at 11:04 pm.

So, today I got a a rather interesting email. It went a little something like this:

“Dear Amanda,

I am pleased to extend you an offer to join the Teach For America 2009 corps! This offer to join Teach For America reflects both your outstanding accomplishments and your potential to move students to achieve. In order to secure your place in the 2009 corps, you must complete matriculation forms on the Applicant Center on or before Friday, December 5 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Effecting dramatic, measurable gains in students’ academic achievement is an incredibly challenging pursuit given the obstacles facing students and teachers in our nation’s lowest income communities. You have demonstrated great potential to excel as a teacher despite these challenges and to ultimately assume great influence in our country. We now invite you to make this commitment and take our effort forward.

Congratulations again, and welcome to Teach For America.”

Of course, I immediatley logged on to see my regional placement, because that would be my deciding factor. And, in all ironies of ironies, it said this: 

“Congratulations! We are pleased to invite you to join the 2009 Teach For America corps and are excited to assign you to teach secondary English (grades 7-12) in Los Angeles.“

Yes. I’ve been assigned to go back to where my epiphany happened. A day after I had a hour long conversation with my mom about how I should just move to LA to try out the entertainment industry again. A day after I started making myself feel alright about just going there for the spring to see if I could make this film and tv thing work. I mean, I have a degree in it. Well, I will in a month and a half.  All of that happening in response to my growing suspicion that I bombed my TFA interview. Apparently not. 

I just got back from getting drinks with the 5 (out of 25!) people who were accepted from my school. It was really selective this year. That made me feel good. The other girls made me excited. They made me think I could do this. They made me think I’m probably going to do this. I mean…I feel weird saying no after the ridiculous application process. Maybe that’s their whole trick. God, I had decisions. I also hate not knowing what I’m doing with my life.   

Stay tuned for a possibly life changing decision by December 5th at the latest.

10 notes ( Reply )

  1. Jonah
    Nov 17, 2008 @ 11:31 pm

    Congratulations, Amanda! :-D

  2. Susie
    Nov 17, 2008 @ 11:40 pm

    Congats!! That’s awesome :) :) Can’t wait to hear your decision…whatever you choose, it will all work out.

    Susies latest blog post…how to win a girl over: be lloyd dobler.

  3. susan
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 7:15 am

    Congratulations!!!

    susans latest blog post…three thanksgivings

  4. Kaitlin
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 8:41 am

    Congrats! YAY! Though I hope LA turns out alright.

  5. Aileen
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 9:51 am

    Congrats! I was just accepted into TFA to teach secondary school English in Atlanta–I’m nervous but really excited. I have no idea who got in from my school but it does sound like it was pretty selective this year. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts as you go through the decision process of whether to accept the offer.

  6. Rachel
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 9:58 am

    i’m so excited for you!! that’s beyond awesome. :)

    Rachels latest blog post…my life is ridiculous.

  7. Jamie
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 10:49 am

    Congrats!!

    Jamies latest blog post…Tyra does something for someone else?

  8. Lacey Bean
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 11:35 am

    Congrats!! That’s awesome.

  9. heid
    Nov 18, 2008 @ 1:12 pm

    yay! congrats gal!!! :)

    heids latest blog post…Monday Wants

  10. Julie Q
    Nov 19, 2008 @ 3:33 pm

    That’s AWESOME!!! Plus you get to go to sunny LA. Can I just tell you that my eyes were watering walking to my office in cambridge this morning it was so cold out?

    oooo congrats again :)

    Julie Qs latest blog post…Glitter Glisten Gloss Floss..

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