School Days of Educated Pride

by Touba, 6th grade student

As a student at Tech International Charter School I value respect and in return I have been treated respectfully by my teachers, classmates, and other students throughout the school.  I am amazed at how quickly I was accepted by students and how much I am valued as a person.  There is a feeling of acceptance at TI, and we all look at each other equally.  Over the past year, the majority of my growth as a person has come from experiencing new cultures at TI.  This school has opened up a new world for me, and I take pride in the insight I have gained from a broad diversity of students’ ethnicities and interests.

            

At TI the students and their families come from different countries, such as Bangladesh, Poland, Puerto Rico, Guinea, and more.  Students are proud of their heritage, and they do not feel pressured to blend in with everyone else.  What I like most is the fact that students’ race, religion, gender and other characteristics do not separate us.  We can express our heritage and not be ridiculed for it.  The students who attend TI can be their selves especially in America, where every person has a colorful heritage to share.

            

To me, being a TI student is related to being a team player.  I know I can find help when I need it, and I will volunteer my help to someone in need.  Many students are less likely to find warm welcomes at other schools.  TI is a school where I can focus, learn, love and thrive.  It is difficult to find a school that shares the same togetherness that TI students have, and I am proud to be a link in that chain.

            

I know that TI has a lot to offer me and that is what is most exciting.  Students are competitive to get the best grades and get into a good high school.  The fact that students are so competitive helps me stay motivated to accomplish my goals.  I take pride in my work as a student at TI, and a committed attitude shows my teachers that I am willing to learn because TI is made for students who have a passion for learning.

            

Ultimately I believe that empathy is the heart of TI PRIDE because it allows students to understand each other, learn from each other, and respect each other.  Attending class with students from totally opposite beliefs and traditions not only made me aware of the diversity of our world but it also influenced my ability to understand and empathize with people from different cultures.  The ability to understand one another is one of the main benefits empathy provides and it is what makes each student at TI unique.    

            

I am very excited to be attending TI and to join with new students I have met at this school.  I have only begun to help my school with things like forming a basketball team and organizing different clubs.  As I continue my years here, I hope to instill the same feeling of TI PRIDE in newcomers as they begin to explore a new world of opportunities here.  Taking pride in my school can also inspire others to take pride in what they do and to work hard.

            

I realize from my experiences that I am capable of many things and should have the confidence to never underestimate myself.  TI has helped me to become more open minded in life and it is an honor to express the pride I have in my school at the Hilltop Diversity Conference.  Attending the conference is a rewarding experience that could offer educational and networking opportunities.  I am looking forward to connecting with students from other schools who will be participating in the conference, as well as reconnecting with friends of mine who are also invited.     

            

As I got to know some of the students at TI, I began experiencing new cultures and grew a greater appreciation for life.  The students I met are welcoming and warm, and I knew that I would be happy attending TI.  I really appreciate the kindness shown to me, and I hope to proudly return that kindness to other students who attend school here.  This is something that other schools lack, and for this reason, it is a place I will always feel welcome at and a home I will always need in order for a peaceful mind and heart.

            

I feel that I should go to the Hilltop Diversity Conference because I want to see new places, learn and see new things.  I will be a good representative for TI Charter because I am well-behaved, and I like to meet new people.  This conference can help me to be a better person in life and at school by talking with students who plan to have a career in Mathematic because my goal is to become a math teacher.  Also, I plan get information about some high schools that I can go to in the future, such as the Bronx High School of Science.  These are the reasons why I want to be chosen to go to the Hilltop Diversity Conference.