A few of you may know that I contemplated joining the Peace Corps as a teacher during my senior year of college, but I wasn't confident in my teaching abilities to make the commitment.  Since then I've taught high school science for two years and worked as a residence life professional at higher education institutions across the Midwest for the last five years, but Peace Corps service has always been on my mind. 

In the Spring of 2015 I was job searching, looking for a more service-oriented higher education position; I felt like a cog in the self-serving society machine.  It took awhile to remember that being pushed beyond complacency and out of my areas of comfort in helping others fills my soul.  As my candidacy did not advance in those higher education positions, I decided to investigate the current Peace Corps positions available and volunteer with a local agency's summer camp.  During this time I was happier, more fulfilled than I had been in a very long time, and so I applied to the Peace Corps.

I know my time in the Peace Corps will be difficult.  I may or may not have reliable phone or internet access, let alone indoor plumbing and electricity.  I may have 30 to 130 students per class and a chalkboard, no SMART boards or copy machines.  While English is the national language, I may have to learn one or two other languages to successfully interact with those in my village.  Yes, I am anxious, but I am more excited to begin service where I will be challenged endlessly, taught by those I teach, and feel needed.