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Corps Year: 2006 |
Images of Greater New Orleans (GNO) on the news suggest that the city is still suffering the effects of Katrina. What is your everyday life like?
My everyday life primarily involves me teaching at West St. John, which is about is about 40 minutes outside of the city, and spending most of my time there. However, on the weekends and sometimes during the week I do find time to enjoy the city and my friends and family. Some of the things that I enjoy most in New Orleans are the beautiful parks where I can jog or play sports. There is also always lots of great music. Most of all, though, I think I enjoy the people in this city the most. Everywhere you go it seems that people are nice, friendly, and really love to have a good time. The expression truly applies in New Orleans: "Let the good times roll!"
What do you think is the greatest misconception people have about Greater New Orleans?
I think the greatest misconception that people have about New Orleans is that the whole city was and still is devastated by Katrina. The truth is that most of the historic areas of the city were not flooded. Many areas were not even flooded at all. Also, much of the city has had quite a rebirth and revival. Parts of the city (maybe even much of the city) are still going through the painful process of slowly rebuilding, but other parts of the city are back up and running.
What is your neighborhood like?
I live one block from Tulane University so my neighborhood has a lot of college students and professors. This makes for a nice, lively environment.
How have your students been affected by Hurricane Katrina?
Many of my students had to move to the area where I teach after the storm. These students have had to make a new home in a very new environment, which has been hard for them.
What is it like to teach in Greater New Orleans?
I enjoy teaching in Greater New Orleans because of the diversity of experiences that I have. I teach at a school that is in a rural part of the state, but live in a city which is rich in cultural heritage. Just last week, I attended a faculty party in a town of 2,000 at a firehouse full of good music and dancing. Later that same day I was back in New Orleans to go out to see a great brass band in the city.
What types of opportunities are available to you in Greater New Orleans?
As a resident of New Orleans I enjoy the great music, the beautiful parks, and the cultural sights, but I also have the opportunity, and I would say the privilege, to take part in rebuilding the city to something better than it was.
How has your life changed as a Greater New Orleans corps member?
I have seen many of the struggles that this city is going through, and I feel that I have learned from that struggle. I have also taken part in many of the great times to be had here, and I think I have learned a lot about how to have a good time from these New Orleaneans.
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