Today, I remembered it was my one-year anniversary of starting my new job. I started it coming out of a 200+ mile bike tour across the state of Florida. I left my career as a teacher to take this position as a community organizer.
I do miss working with high schoolers. But this past year has been amazing. I’m so grateful to feel like I’m part of something. I’m so grateful to be part of an organization that treats me like a full human being. I’m able to bring every bit of what I’ve learned to the Table. Not only am I able, but I’m encouraged. Because when folks can bring all of their knowledge, skills, and being to creating a better world, we are so much stronger.
I never felt I could do that as a teacher. I had to compartmentalize myself too much. That coupled with being bullied by too many administrators, politicians, and a broken system proved to be more than I could stay for. School employees deserve better than that, and our students deserve better.
I’m also grateful for all of the amazing people I continue to meet that have taken the job of creating the world we want to live in. I just got off of a call Florida Rising was holding, and there are a lot of us. More and more I see us uniting. It feels powerful.
If you’re in Florida and you’re looking for an organization to join to help to create a Florida where the sun shines for everyone, check these folks out: Florida Rising, Dream Defenders, Faith in Florida. If you are labor minded, check out Central Florida Jobs With Justice. And, no matter where you are in the U.S., you should check out your local Democratic Socialists of America chapter. If you aren’t in Florida, I guarantee there are a ton of great organizations where you can add your voice to help create a world we all can thrive.