Mississippi...Feels Like Coming Home

So here I am, just four days into my summer internship with the Mississippi Teacher Corps under the leadership of soon to be Dr. Ben Guest and I couldn't be happier.  I arrived here in Oxford, Mississippi - a beautiful southern town where the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is clearly the center of the culture here - just four days ago.  I do not exaggerate when I say that the Ole Miss students and faculty, staff and alumni seem to be the lungs of this community.  And I can understand why.  The campus is stunningly beautiful with rolling hills and towering magnolia trees that line the walkways.  It is not a lot unlike Amherst, believe it or not, just much larger in comparison and with even friendlier squirrels.  Today I came so close I nearly tripped over one.

I will admit that prior to my departure for Oxford I had that familiar feeling of stirring apprehension that I often get when I first dare to spread my wings and jump.  That feeling has dissipated and I am so happy that I took this risk to come here to learn about the history, rich culture and the failing education system - all of which are so drastically different from the liberal private schools and institutions I have been fortunate enough to attend.  

As an intern, I have met and spoken with many dedicated individuals in Oxford and Jackson  the last couple of days.  I am just beginning to understand that tangled web of factors that contribute to the failing public education system here in Mississippi is far too complex for any one person to unravel.   Perhaps that is why we have spoken with people with such varying backgrounds as Mississippi State Representative Cecil Brown, investigative reporter and MacArthur Genius Award recipient Jerry Mitchell, Catholic Priest and MTC/Peace Corps alumnus Lincoln Dall, and Professor of Political Science Dr. John Winkle, to name just a few.   Yes, we are looking at the issues of race and class that run deep in this state from many angles. Our calendar is packed and I am excited to see what Ben has in store for us this summer.