Advice to future interns:

1. Ask questions.  Ben will ask you a lot of questions, but don't be afraid to do the same.  You will have access to some extraordinarily brilliant minds (Jerry Mitchell, Dr. Winkle, the Barksdales, everyone is brilliant, really), so don't let them pass you by!  
   
2. Listen.  Try not to dominate discussions, you will have plenty of opportunities to get your opinion in.  Sit back and soak in what others have to say at times.
3. Be honest.  If that means disagreeing, by all means, disagree.  Don't be the people please-er.
4. Be respectful and let go (as much as humanly possible) of assumptions and stereotypes. 
5. Extend yourself to the first year and second year teachers - you are here to support them in every way possible.  Bend over backwards to lend them a hand - they are going through incredibly challenging circumstances. 
6. READ.  Not just the assigned readings from Ben (do those thoroughly), but go to Square Books or the University Library and read about the history of the South, civil rights, read the news.  Immerse yourself in the literature of Mississippi (Richard Wright & Faulkner).
7. Try new things: be it volleyball after work, spin class (Larissa and my favorite), fried green tomatoes, delta tamales.
8. You are only here for two short months, so don't play it safe, absorb everything you can!  MTC has so much to offer.