Name: Julian Morris-Walker
Breakthrough Program: Summerbridge San Francisco
Subject Teaching: 9th Grade English
School Attending/Year: Berkeley High School/ 2012 

These past few weeks, I have learned what teaching really is and what teachers do on a daily basis. Before Summerbridge, I always thought teaching was just making worksheets, explaining and then grading them afterwards. This is definitely not true. First off, making worksheets is far harder then one might think. Making an assignment that is not only rigorous but also understandable and manageable is challenging. Being in high school myself, I know how aggravating it is to have a hard and unclear homework assignment, so finding that balance is a personal goal I try to meet. Second, teaching a skill and then explaining a homework assignment can be terrifying. No matter how tired or nervous you maybe, you have to act as if it the best day ever. And finally, grading and correcting work is difficult. Though the day before you may think you did an amazing job teaching a certain concept or skill, the student’s work is the real test of your ability. If only one student, out of ten, really understood the homework and did great, you have to go back and essentially, re-teach the skill until everyone understands it.

Now that I have truly learned what it means to teach and be a teacher, I have only become more excited to continue and grow. Though it maybe exhausting and difficult at times, once I am in the class and seeing the students - who are so eager and willing to learn - I can’t help but be more motivated and driven. And then once I teach a lesson that goes great and it reflects in the student’s work, I just want to keep going and see how far the students progress. These moments I have really put this entire experience in perspective and I can breath and tell myself that I am making an impact on these students
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And the best part about all of this is that I am not alone. Through the ups and downs of this rollercoaster, I know that I have 20 other amazing people to go through it with me. Having a support system this strong, filled with interns, mentor teachers, and administrators, there is no one that I can’t turn to when I have a question or need help.

It’s ironic to think that even though I am teaching, I feel that I am learning way more than I could ever teach in one summer.