grew up in an underdeveloped urban city where the poverty and social conditions hindered me from getting an appropriate education.

Like Rafe Esquith, I believe that this has given me a special empathy to people from societies similar to mine. I understand them. Take just a few days ago, for instance. I was stopped by robbers at gunpoint who forced me to continue to drive. Many others, I suppose, would have been afraid. I can't say I wasn't, but more than that. I was them. I was with them. I understood why they were doing this. I pitied for their childhood, and I wished to help them.

TEP's two-year graduate program offers specialized urban teacher preparation in the form of a two-year intensive Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in teaching for social justice in urban communities. Yes! This calls to me. But far more resonant with me is your objective:...
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