BIG New Journey...
I'm not posting this on any "public" social media yet! I always have hesitations about things that I sincerely care about! I have gone to college STRAIGHT since I graduated high school in 2006.
I went straight into college less than 3 months later; it was NOT easy. I am not discussing "difficulties" academically. I was never a "straight A" student; however, I really only struggled in math. I am referring to finances. I had to WORK. 2+ jobs EVERY semester (including summers)—and keep up my studies!
I was enthusiastic, and in fact naive! I thought you work HARD and then something "falls into your lap." My journey has been both elating, frustrating, heartbreaking, fun, and scary!
It may sound cliche now...but I am sincerely grateful for ALL my struggles during my educational/professional journey: including adult chicken pox, being robbed at gunpoint at a former job, financial struggles, romantic struggles, etc...
So many times I wondered about life, fairness, and cried alone, to others (and even higher powers)! Today, I was validated. I have come full circle. I graduated with my Bachelor's and Master's in English; I originally sincerely thought I wanted to teach as a university professor.
During my last semester of my Master's, I was given a life-changing opportunity to TEACH! It was for a community college with my mentor. His name is Mr. Thornton; he'd been both my 8th grade English teacher and later college instructor. He is so passionate. He took 8th graders on field trips to the Montgomery Shakespeare Theater. He got us to do theater, debate, and really think! He stimulated my mind. I admire him so much. Without him, I NEVER would have changed my major from Accounting to English or EVER experienced the classroom.
I loved the classroom, but...thought I still would like to pursue a Ph.D. to teach at the university level. I was accepted to a Ph.D. program at MTSU in Fall 2012 on a full assistantship. I met so many great people and had wonderful personal development; I had all A's, 1 B, was tutoring, taking classes, and working 3rd shift at a DUI center! I was exhausted, miserable, and horribly physically unfit: SEDENTARY.
Things came to a head when I had studied (every week in a group and individually) for a HUGE exam. I did not pass. It was the first time I had ever not done well on something that big. I was devastated, but I had a choice to make. I spoke with the then English department head; he was less than helpful and (in fact) discouraged me worse than many leaders ever have. On top of that, he posted things I still deem as inappropriate to social media—which might discourage future educators.
However, from that experience, I had gotten to tutor (INVALUABLE); I learned that doing research papers, submitting to conferences, and possibly being so consumed in the "publish or perish" university expected mentality—you might behave as if students were gnats bothering you in your office (sealed off from humanity)!
I sought out the Education Department director at the college! She was personable—speaking to me like a human—so I swapped to an Ed.S.. I got a new job at an office, and after a few months there —was also asked to teach some community college classes again!
I have now been doing so for 1.5 years. I was convinced to get my foot in the door (by my department head) I needed to push forward further though. I quit my office job (which I'd been paying back student loans with steadily), and did as suggested. Then, government stepped in! TBR cut all adjuncts' hours—due to what they claimed were issues with the Affordable Health Care Act.
I was BEYOND DEPRESSED. Were my new dreams ending? But I kept pushing. I decided I would apply for alternative (K-12) certification programs! I got into TNTP (Dec. 2014)! I started applying to K-12 charters. I learned so much about educational inequality and drives in TN (along with my Ed.S. courses) to fix equity issues.
I am now in the TNTP 2015 cohort. I am still teaching college English, tutoring in a writing center, and volunteering with Read to Succeed (Adult ESL students in Rutherford County). I got an offer at a college preparatory elementary charter school in metro Nashville TODAY— after my 2nd formal interview and teaching sample lesson! ! ! I still must pass my Praxis exams and do Pre-Service TNTP summer training; however, I am beyond optimistic now!
The school is like a dream. They are so young, vibrant, and challenged by their equally passionate instructors, administrators, and staff. They shout college chants during school provided breakfasts; they keep "bright faces" (—smiles) even when lessons are hard; they participate fully and are called SCHOLARS even as kindergartners. It is growing and will eventually be K-4!
This has been a whirlwind. I will continue to document my journey. I want to continue to learn everyday. It will be a whole new world—transitioning from college adjuncting/tutoring to full time elementary metro charter education!
However, I will give it 110%! My future scholars deserve it. They can accomplish what I have and MORE. The classroom and helping students is my life's purpose. #reachback #education
I went straight into college less than 3 months later; it was NOT easy. I am not discussing "difficulties" academically. I was never a "straight A" student; however, I really only struggled in math. I am referring to finances. I had to WORK. 2+ jobs EVERY semester (including summers)—and keep up my studies!
I was enthusiastic, and in fact naive! I thought you work HARD and then something "falls into your lap." My journey has been both elating, frustrating, heartbreaking, fun, and scary!
It may sound cliche now...but I am sincerely grateful for ALL my struggles during my educational/professional journey: including adult chicken pox, being robbed at gunpoint at a former job, financial struggles, romantic struggles, etc...
So many times I wondered about life, fairness, and cried alone, to others (and even higher powers)! Today, I was validated. I have come full circle. I graduated with my Bachelor's and Master's in English; I originally sincerely thought I wanted to teach as a university professor.
During my last semester of my Master's, I was given a life-changing opportunity to TEACH! It was for a community college with my mentor. His name is Mr. Thornton; he'd been both my 8th grade English teacher and later college instructor. He is so passionate. He took 8th graders on field trips to the Montgomery Shakespeare Theater. He got us to do theater, debate, and really think! He stimulated my mind. I admire him so much. Without him, I NEVER would have changed my major from Accounting to English or EVER experienced the classroom.
I loved the classroom, but...thought I still would like to pursue a Ph.D. to teach at the university level. I was accepted to a Ph.D. program at MTSU in Fall 2012 on a full assistantship. I met so many great people and had wonderful personal development; I had all A's, 1 B, was tutoring, taking classes, and working 3rd shift at a DUI center! I was exhausted, miserable, and horribly physically unfit: SEDENTARY.
Things came to a head when I had studied (every week in a group and individually) for a HUGE exam. I did not pass. It was the first time I had ever not done well on something that big. I was devastated, but I had a choice to make. I spoke with the then English department head; he was less than helpful and (in fact) discouraged me worse than many leaders ever have. On top of that, he posted things I still deem as inappropriate to social media—which might discourage future educators.
However, from that experience, I had gotten to tutor (INVALUABLE); I learned that doing research papers, submitting to conferences, and possibly being so consumed in the "publish or perish" university expected mentality—you might behave as if students were gnats bothering you in your office (sealed off from humanity)!
I sought out the Education Department director at the college! She was personable—speaking to me like a human—so I swapped to an Ed.S.. I got a new job at an office, and after a few months there —was also asked to teach some community college classes again!
I have now been doing so for 1.5 years. I was convinced to get my foot in the door (by my department head) I needed to push forward further though. I quit my office job (which I'd been paying back student loans with steadily), and did as suggested. Then, government stepped in! TBR cut all adjuncts' hours—due to what they claimed were issues with the Affordable Health Care Act.
I was BEYOND DEPRESSED. Were my new dreams ending? But I kept pushing. I decided I would apply for alternative (K-12) certification programs! I got into TNTP (Dec. 2014)! I started applying to K-12 charters. I learned so much about educational inequality and drives in TN (along with my Ed.S. courses) to fix equity issues.
I am now in the TNTP 2015 cohort. I am still teaching college English, tutoring in a writing center, and volunteering with Read to Succeed (Adult ESL students in Rutherford County). I got an offer at a college preparatory elementary charter school in metro Nashville TODAY— after my 2nd formal interview and teaching sample lesson! ! ! I still must pass my Praxis exams and do Pre-Service TNTP summer training; however, I am beyond optimistic now!
The school is like a dream. They are so young, vibrant, and challenged by their equally passionate instructors, administrators, and staff. They shout college chants during school provided breakfasts; they keep "bright faces" (—smiles) even when lessons are hard; they participate fully and are called SCHOLARS even as kindergartners. It is growing and will eventually be K-4!
This has been a whirlwind. I will continue to document my journey. I want to continue to learn everyday. It will be a whole new world—transitioning from college adjuncting/tutoring to full time elementary metro charter education!
However, I will give it 110%! My future scholars deserve it. They can accomplish what I have and MORE. The classroom and helping students is my life's purpose. #reachback #education
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