Schoolhouse Rock....

For my Intro to Education course we’re supposed to keep a weekly journal with thoughts and evaluations relating to our potential careers in Teaching.

Our first journal assignment is to answer the question “Why Teach?”

I always joke when people ask me what I’m going to school for that I’m “getting into the family business.” My family seems to be comprised of mostly businessmen or teacher/social worker related fields. But becoming a teacher is more than just the family business; it’s something that started when I was young.

I’ve had a rough life and the people that seemed to be a constant stability was always my aunt and my teachers, well the teachers of the schools I stayed the longest in. My aunt taught elementary school for a lot of schools that were located in parts of town with a high poverty rate. I admired her dedication to making a difference in these kids’ lives. I wanted to be like her. I want the same things she’s worked hard to achieve.

In fourth grade my research paper was called “The ups and downs about teaching.” I focused on researching the career I was destine to have. Even with the “bad” I knew this was where I was supposed to be.

As I grew, my interest in teaching faded as I began exploring different interest and for a long time I was insistent upon becoming a journalist when I was in high school. But I realized it wasn’t the writing I loved, but rather the design and layouts I created with the school newspaper.

Soon after high school I got my first camera. I started snapping pictures of everything. I set up photo shoots with friends and began playing with the idea of being a photographer. (I still toy with that idea.) However, the lack of confidence in my artistic ability has atlas pushed me away from the photography career and I found myself wondering what I was going to do with my life.

About this same time I started watching two very amazing little boys while attending school. One of the boys was particularly apt to knowledge, so while we played I would talk to him about what I was learning in my history classes. The first conversation we had been about the Nile and Egypt.

He pounded me with questions wanting to know everything I knew and more. Soon, it became his fascination and I loved the positive feeling it gave me when he would tell me things he had learned from me, or something else. And sure, maybe I did have to tell him “No we will not be embalming your little brother!” even then, I felt a sense of pride.

And then it occurred to me that I should take a hint from my 10-year-old self and revisit my first ambitions, the ones I find I have the most confidence in.

So why teach?

1. Because the world needs good teachers, and I know I could be one.
2. Because somewhere there’s a lost child that was just like me desperate for some direction, and I would love to be able inspire them the way I have been inspired by my aunt and other teachers.
3. Because I enjoy leading and being looked up to.
4. Kids are funny.
5. Lots of glitter.
6. Teaching will help me gain knowledge in the things I love and even open my eyes to new possibilities.
7. I always loved school, might as well stay in it…except this time I’ll be at the front of the classroom, instead of hiding in the back.
8. I get to decide what happens; not very many professional jobs allow the creativity that teaching does.
9. I’m ready for the challenge of shaping the future.
10. Lets be honest, I love being the center of attention, if even for a minute.

She did the best rendition of "A whole new world"

The last time I wrote anything I lived in New Jersey and was about to embark on an interesting new life with my friend Wendy there for me along the drive to Michigan.

Things got rough within the first 20 minutes of driving.And then 30 miles from what was once my home, Daniel's car broke down. We still had 10 hours of driving to do, and hadn't even left NJ.

Getting to Michigan was rough which is partly why I've made the decision to abstain from writing - It keeps me from "woe's me" entries.

Daniel and I made the decision to leave his car in NJ (With his dad) and rented a car (with the help of Wendy) then 24 hours after we first attempted to leave NJ, we were finally on our way.

Once the road trip was underway, everything else seem to go a little smoother. But upon arriving, things weren't the greatest, and I still was struggling with things back in NJ. Which I realized I had to stop letting it bother me and just let it go. And I feel better for having made the decision to come here.

Again, I really haven't had much to write about as I tend to shut down in high stress situations. (Getting a new job, getting ready for school, moving/settling in have been really rough for me.)

I have a job, its not fantastic, but it pays me. How can I complain? School has started and I'm a little uneasy, but I'm sure I will come out on top, or at least I hope I do.

I'm moving forward, one step at a time. (And with a little help from my friends (Wendy.))

I miss the boys, I miss New Jersey, I miss driving to see the New York skyline. I miss my adventures. I miss my roommates.

But, writing this has been a bit of a struggle, but for whatever reason I've felt compelled to keep some sort of update in my life other than "I am alive."

And I am.

Hope all is well.