MLK celebrations!

Well, I must start off by saying we all have successfully completed two full weeks in San Francisco!  Hooray to us!  I must begin by saying how blessed I feel to have the opportunity to partake in all that San Francisco has had to offer, as well as work and learn from an amazing 1st grade teacher.  My experiences in the classroom, although challenging at times, are helping shape me into a more culturally aware and well-rounded teacher.  The time is flying by, and  we are doing all we can to live and breath the San Fran culture.  I must say that I think we are doing a pretty good job at it :)

The MLK celebrations began all last week in many of our classrooms at Rosa Parks Elementary and Everett Middle school, and continued into the Glide Memorial church service we attended on Sunday morning.  Although very different than any church service I have attended, it was a liberating experience and one of the most diverse environments I have been a part of since the beginning of this trip.  Glide Memorial is a methodist church, but prides itself on the contributions they make to their community; such as feeding the poor, taking care of the homeless, and providing a church for those recovering from addiction.  The service on Sunday was centered around Martin Luther King and how he has changed the course African American rights in America.  It was a moving service, and involved BEAUTIFL and INSPIRATIONAL music that made many of us jump to our feet and relish in the culture surrounding us.  This opportunity to attend a church in the Tenderloin district was one I will not forget.  I will remember it as a moving and powerful experience on this journey here in San Fran. 

On Monday, MLK day, the celebrations continued.  Many of us chose to take part in the Martin Luther King march.  I myself, have never marched in honor of something or someone, so it was a new and exciting experience for me.  Thankfully, we were blessed with another stunning, sunshine-filled day in which we marched a mile-and-a-half in honor of MLK.  The most incredible part for me was seeing and hearing people of all difference races, gender, and religions come together and join as one to celebrate freedom and how far we have come since Martin Luther King was assassinated.  My favorite part of the parade was singing "This Little Light of mine, I'm gonna Let it Shine," for about half of our walk! Although by the end, I did not want to hear another verse, it was still an incredible experience to think, sing, and celebrate equality and freedom for all. 

I have to be honest, I feel that over the last two weeks I have become more culturally aware, open-minded, and accepting of others than I had been in my four years of undergrad and the first half of grad school.  Again, I am thankful for this fantastic opporutnity to learn and grow as an individual and teacher.  Thank you San Fran! 

-Danielle