"Welcome to our faculty, Ms. Block."

The auditorium is silent as we listen to our School Director, Ellen. It's Thursday afternoon, and we are exhausted. Even so, she has us hanging on every word.

"The first day I began teaching, a veteran teacher shared this quote with me, and it has become my mantra ever since," Ellen said. The quote pops up on the projector, and she begins reading: "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us...Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you...And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

She pauses, and I fight back tears. I cannot remember the last time I was this exhausted and inspired all at once.

Ellen looks back at us and says, "I cannot wait until Monday morning when a K-8 student comes up to me to ask who his or her teacher is, and I get to point at one of you...Please exit the auditorium. We have a surprise for you in the hallway."

We silently exit the auditorium, only to find our TFA faculty lining the hallways. "Thank you, Ms. Block," the first person says. "Congratulations, Ms. Block," says another. Ellen takes her place in line and shakes my hand, "Welcome to our faculty, Ms. Block," she says.

I'm faculty now. And on Monday, when a fifth grader asks Ellen who his or her teacher is, she will get to point at me.