A Path to the Ivies

My path to the Ivy League, began like most with good grades, however, the key was not grades. Registration for classes junior year at the University of California at San Francisco, I met two girls Diane and Debbie. Long time residents of the city, one was of Italian heritage and the other African American. We formed a team took classes and studied together. Soon after the semester began we heard about the Reading Improvement Center led by William P.J. Costello. If myth is right, he was fired from the Boston school system for using comic books to teach reading. We took the requisite training in phonemic awareness, phonics and comprehension in a great workbook that I still have. Costello, had a mantra, " The alphabet has 26 letters and 44 sounds..to learn .. you can do it", We did some research and asked if we could implement the program at an alternative Rooftop School and a Girls detention Center. At first they were hesitant, but agreed.. especially because the girls were locked up. Off we went twice weekly teaching reading-incorporating creative dramatics and lots of TLC. I remember going to a dance with the girls at a boys center, Our volunteering took hours, literally, Friday nights, and continued after we graduated. Fond memories.. when I applied to Columbia with the lowest test scores since I had no math since high school-I found out that the head of the entire education department wrote a recommendation. Here is the key, get out of the box, do something that is impassioned, be a self-started in whatever the discipline. Diane, Debbie and I did not spend hours to get into the Ivies.. we did our job to be better teachers and for love.