The Most Good (Forrest City, West Helena, Helena: budget, work, home)

[CESpeed]

For those following, I've made up my mind to move to Arkansas but now I have to decide where and what I'm going to do to earn a living. I want to do something to have the most positive impact and do the most good. I didn't think that I should make that decision from Cali and by the time I figured it out in person, I'd be running pretty low on funds, so I'm turning my new soon-to be neigbors.

I'm deciding between what I'm doing now and working with Department of Family Services or joining Teach for America. And of course, the ever popular: where can I do the most good?

Thank you for your input.

[TN-rox]

Eastern AR (the delta area) could use the most help... That would probably be your easiest area to impact, since there is so much that needs to be helped- and if you stay in the area around Memphis, wou would still be able to have any city comforts you might want. You'd have to be pretty brave, however, to live there...Good luck with your search!

[argeaux]

It's really nice to see people who want to move based on where they think they can do the most good.

[CESpeed]

I'm quite surprised that I've barely gotten a response to my question. When I re-read it, it may have looked like a geographical question and in a way it is, but I have a pretty good idea of where services are most needed. From conversations I've had there is a shortage in the Social Services department (they were practically ready to hire me over the phone without an interview) but I also know that the quality of education is low in areas of the State so I'm trying to decided where is the greatest need, social service or teaching? I can a great argument for for and against both which is why I thought I'd pose the question here. Any opinions?

[Sam I Am]

Ah - I thought it was a geographical question too....I think you will have to search your heart for the answer. Good arguments could be made for going either way. But look at it this way - lots of folks have a teaching license but they aren't flocking to the far southeast delta...so that area is in dire need of quality educators. Traditionally the area is more economically depressed and there is little to "do" in your time off. Social Services is always shorthanded, underbudgeted, and overworked in any area....but only you know what you can live with. Most people who aren't born and raised in the delta can't find the love for it...it's kind of barren and parts of it are downright remote. However, if you're looking for the area of the state with the greatest need, I'd say probably the lower 1/4 of the state.

Please know - I am one of the few and the proud who think the delta is probably God's gift to me personally, but I probably would find it disheartening to live there day in and day out. And spouse wouldn't go if we were being dragged by mules....

[TN-rox]

The Mississippi River and Delta is a geologic and cultural wonder.The farmland, food, music- its all great in the Delta. The people are some of the nicest, most down-home people in the state. Most "southern" part of the state in culture, by far. Its a great place, but poor, and thats where the problems start.

[CESpeed]

I'd already been leaning more towards teaching, but I didn't want to make that decision based on my California mindset. I wanted to get the opinion of people who live there and know what the real problems are.

[julie_shannon]

Being from Helena, I know that Teach for America has educators frequently placed in the Helena-West Helena school district. My only advice is that you refuse to be placed in that particular school district if you really have your heart set on helping out the Delta. It's dangerous and until they have the administration worked out, it will continue to be. Now, other surrounding school districts are not like that, but I've never heard of Teach for America having educators in those districts.

[TN-rox]

Marianna, Forrest City, and Hughes' schools could really use some help...but I dont know if those districts are availible for Teach for America educators...

[CESpeed]

All three are on the list. Thanks for your input.