Students Write - Prof. Martin's Class: Ealiyah

My Spring Community
by Ealiyah Henry

I live in a calm neighborhood where most people just mind their business and then there are others who seem to be very friendly. When I first moved to the area, my family and I were greeted generously and welcomed to the neighborhood. As the first couple of years went by we grew a relationship with the nearby neighbors, speaking on a daily basis.

In the beginning, it was mostly my parents having talks with the neighbors, which would mainly consist of the meetings that my parents are too busy to attend. Then the conversation would move to events or situations that currently happened in the community like a robbery or a football game that Claughton Middle School had down the street. As everyone became more comfortable with each other, topics became more personal, which is why I believe my sisters and I were known by the neighbors.

The neighborhood became more like a family, or rather the street I live on became that way. We all watch out for each other’s homes while away at work or on vacation and even take care of others dogs if need be. I now have my own conversations with the neighbors who always give me wise advice or motivation to get through difficult obstacles.

One neighbor in particular, Mr. Thomas, has an older daughter that graduated with a doctorate degree and is working in the medical industry. Because I’m working towards becoming a vet, both Mr. Thomas and his daughter express all the struggles that I may face and inspire me to not let the stress overcome me. The positivity encourages me to motivate others as well as myself when it comes to hard times.

Out of the four of my mother’s children, I am the youngest and may be the first of all my sisters to finish college. Although my sisters as well as my mother attended college but didn’t finish, they are my main motivation and reason I am in college now. I plan on graduating Tuskegee University with a doctorate degree of veterinary medicine and with the help of my community I believe that I will achieve my goal.

Students Write - Prof. Martin's Class: Diego

Aldine Community
by Diego Hernandez

My community is where I grew up and met all my friends from school. I wish the Aldine community was more involved with each other to help and make it safer for everyone that lives in the Aldine community. 

Aldine is important because it has helped me realize that I want more for myself than to keep living here. Also, it has helped me to keep staying in school and get a degree so I won't live struggling with bills or staying in a safe neighborhood. Playing soccer is what I like doing best and learning soccer here in my community was the best experience I had with friends and coaches.

Aldine is also important for everyone living here because it’s where kids play outside, where people walk to work or school, and where our family and friends live. Everyone should want to clean up Aldine and take care of our homes, especially making it safer for everyone in the streets and for homes.

Last year they started building more street lamps and sidewalks because we had a student die from a car hitting him. Also, my dad was at a local store down the street from my house and three guys came up to him with a gun trying to steal his truck and money. I had friends get jumped walking home just because they wanted to steal his hat.

I think that the Aldine community should come together and help change the community. It can change people lives and change their path in life. It would actually be really nice to be able to go for a walk at night and not feel fear.

Students Write - Prof. Martin's Class: Jerimi

My Community Matters
by Jerimi Jackson

The Humble-Westfield area in Houston is a poor little area with little to no development. For instance, I-45 is about 15 minutes away by car, which is the only means of transportation in this area. This is a gradually deteriorating and isolated from the more valued areas, at least this is an upside - no real traffic.

There are no buses, the closest mall is about a three-hour walk, and we have no real grocery stores in the area. There is Joe V’s down the street, which is still a 40-minute walk, but that means another 40-minutes carrying a large quantity of bags. There is always random road work, which increases traffic; not only that, but some traffic lights stop working.

There is little to no light because the street lights in my community are weak orange light bulbs with no real brightening qualities. There are no sidewalks and I am always two feet away from the road. Really, I often walk in the muddy ditch, or walk in the grass with road kill constantly laid on top. First there was the squirrel and then a dog, and a day later a dead cat appears.

The buildings that do not have any genuine business throughout the day are just discarded and set to deteriorate over time. The area is covered with crime. A week ago six police cars chased someone in a white car through the neighborhood and that was regular to the people driving. One day I was in the CVS store down the street and my sister saw a guy hop in the back of a pick-up truck and drove off with stolen beer.

Even through all the flaws and through all the hardships, this little area is what I call home. The people around are nice and look after each other; they will do whatever for you if you truly needed the help. All in all, the area is bad, but there is a tiny light of good here and there, and that’s the best part of the Westfield community; not everyone has good personalities, but I could say most have good intentions.

Students Write - Prof. Martin's Class: Kansteiner

Becoming a Teacher in Texas

by Kansteiner Madison

Texas needs teachers, and because of my love of children and being able to help people grow, I have decided to answer the call of my community. Humble ISD is the district I hope to teach in, and they are at a major shortage of teachers with the rapidly growing community. I am currently tracking to the University of Houston where I will become better prepared to teach and lead students to their success.

I am currently working at Kids R Kids of Lakeshore, primarily with the after-school program, to gain experience and build my resume. I will not be able to teach in a district until I have obtained at least my bachelor’s degree which will take me 4 years, and received TEA certification in the state of Texas to teach. I plan to continue to work at Kids R Kids until I receive my certification and I am hired at a school so that I can continue building my experience and help my community and their kids.

Teaching is such a big part of my family’s dynamic. I really discerned that I wanted to be a teacher at my grandmother’s funeral when I spoke up about trying to decide between teaching and Music Therapy (my major at the time), and so many family members talked about their personal experiences and my grandmother’s experiences. Needless to say, my family is very happy that I am following in my grandmother’s footsteps, like so many of my aunts and uncles and cousins have.

I want to teach elementary kids because they are such a joy to work with and are so moldable. I want to be there in some of the most crucial developmental times in a person’s life, and I want to be able to guide them and help them achieve their fullest potential. Socially and mentally, elementary is such an important part of a child’s development and I strive to be the teacher that my students will think back and say “wow, she really made a difference in my life”.

My kids in my class at Kids R Kids are so bright and even though they can be a pain in the rear sometimes, they remind me every day why I am striving to be a teacher. Despite the fits and crying and disrespect that I deal with on a daily basis (as most teachers do), I am always so happy to come into work the next day and interact with my kids and help them with homework or social issues. I am honestly so excited to become a teacher one day so that I can be able to see a child grow intellectually with my aide, and just be there for them for anything they might need.