The Opportunity of Education: Second Semester (and Summer) Recap

Now that summer is coming to a close and many students have started school again (or are preparing to start), I think this post is a timely reflection on my own schooling adventures. I am gearing up to start the second year of my Ph.D. program and am very excited (and a little nervous) about it!

In the spring, I took 3 courses and observed a course that I am now prepared to teach this fall. The semester ended great – I got all A’s! I also took an online Intro to Statistics course for 8 weeks this summer and it was challenging at times, but I earned a B! This summer I was very busy between moving houses, traveling and celebrating all that life has to offer. I have also been productive with getting some things done for school, but since classes start after Labor Day, I feel even more inspired to make sure I have everything I need to be successful in my second year.

This fall, I’m excited (and a bit nervous) to be teaching a section of Foundations of Reading, a course for undergraduate pre-service teachers. Although I observed two different sections and instructors last year, it’s still going to be different teaching it on my own; luckily, I’m co-teaching it with another graduate student and I’m sure we will make a great team!

I’m also happy to continue working on a research team with my advisor, other faculty members and graduate students at a high school in Minneapolis where we have been working with teachers to study interdisciplinary literacies in the IB History program. We’ve all developed great relationships over time and I’m thrilled to get back into classrooms and work with students and teachers to do great work this year.

As always, I’m super thankful to have the opportunity to work on my doctorate degree. All of the support I’ve received from so many people along my journey has definitely helped me to stay focused on my end goal, which is to graduate in 3 years. The classes that I’ve taken so far have prompted me to continue to think about (and decide on) what it is I want to study as a dissertation topic and how I will answer the question I settle on. I’m currently still interested in education policy, but I also want to know more about the importance of reading and writing as learning tools across the curriculum, focusing on the processes students use to achieve an end goal or produce a product.

And this year, I plan to attend (and present) at some conferences in my field. Last year was spent adjusting to life as a doctoral student and getting used to coursework, my assistantships and juggling my roles as a wife and mother in all of that. This year, I plan to network some more and learn all I can from others in my field as I continue to pursue my degree.

As another school year is about to begin, I feel so blessed that I can do what I love – teach and learn! I’m always happy to share my knowledge with others and I’m eager to learn as much as I can inside and outside of the classroom. And, I’m hopeful that as my daughter continues to grow up, and as my nieces and nephews get older and go through school, that they can look to me as a role model and a source of inspiration for their own lives and their own educational pursuits. The road to this Ph.D. hasn’t always been easy. There were some rejections along the way, some times when I doubted the timing of everything and even times when I was so overcome with anxiety that I didn’t think I could go any further or do any more. But that’s the beauty of growing and learning: it never stops!

Here’s to a happy, successful, prosperous school year for all of the children and adults going back to school! I hope it’s the best one yet!

 

-rch

The Opportunity of Education: First Semester Recap

 

More than a reflection, I hope this post will be an observation on education and a way for me to share what my journey back to graduate school has been like.

First, I have to acknowledge that education is indeed an opportunity. I don’t take for granted that I have been educated at some of the world’s BEST schools, I’ve met some AMAZING people who I cherish deeply, and I’ve gotten to do some pretty AWESOME things while pursuing each of my degrees. I understand that many people don’t have the same opportunities I’ve had, and that I don’t have the same opportunities that others have had. I think that’s what makes all of us unique – our stories are different and they contribute to who we are as human beings.

I started my Ph.D. program in September with a lot of excitement. I stayed home with my daughter for awhile before she started daycare and was ready to pursue my goal of earning my doctorate degree. During the course of the semester, I was challenged in many ways, not only academically. I think one of the biggest lessons I learned was to balance my academic course load and my work duties with my family life. Being a wife and a mother are hard, but with the added pressure (that I probably put on myself) of reading for my classes and writing papers, there were times that I got frustrated. But with the help of my very supportive husband (whose been through the process), family and friends (some who have been through it and are going through it), I was able to refocus my energies and attention on completing my goals.

One thing I had to learn to do was to make time in my schedule to spend with my husband. This was easier at the beginning of the semester because it seemed that I had more “free time” to go to his office for lunch or meet him on/near campus for a quick bite to eat or just to talk. But as the semester progressed, finding time to spend alone during the day in the midst of both of our hectic schedules was difficult. And because my husband often works late hours, I’d be up reading or sleeping by the time he got home at night. Carving out time for the two of us is something that we’re still working on!

Something else I had to adjust to was the amount of reading required for my classes and how to navigate getting it all done. Before I had my daughter, getting schoolwork done was much easier. Now, I usually don’t start my work until after she goes to sleep in the evening. And I’m definitely much more of a morning person, so staying up late at night doesn’t work for me; I tried it when I had to, and believe me, it wasn’t pretty. But since I’m a morning person, I can get up at 4:30 or 5:00A.M. and finish work or prepare to start my day. When I first started my program in September, I told my husband that the amount of reading was manageable, but as I got deeper into my studies, I quickly realized that he was right when he told me that I would have to see for myself that the Ph.D. is indeed a lifestyle. So, I began to rely on him a lot for help with our daughter. There have been plenty of weekends that he’s taken her to work events with him or community meetings so that I could have time to read or write papers. Just like I supported him when he was in the process of earning his doctorate, I’m super thankful that he’s done the same for me!

Being in a Ph.D. program has required some sacrifice. I’ve had to miss out on fun stuff like football games or hanging out with friends so I could study. And although our family was still on the go a lot this year, my travel  schedule wasn’t as flexible as it was when I stayed home with our daughter. Before my program, we could fly to see family whenever we wanted to. Now, we have to plan a little more, which has been hard for many people, especially when we all look forward to seeing each other in person. However, I think that being in school again is helping me to cherish the time that we do get to spend with family, even if it’s shorter than what we’re accustomed to or would like to have. An added bonus, though? Our daughter is a pro at using FaceTime! 🙂

I have to say that being back in school has definitely helped me to think more critically about issues in education, and has made me wonder what more I can do to change things. I’ve learned so much not only from my professors, but from other students. It’s been great to be able to ask questions and run ideas by friends before I solidify them in my own mind.

This semester I took 3 courses and I’ll take 3 next semester. In addition to taking courses, I shadowed a Foundations of Reading course in preparation to teach it next fall. I worked with the instructor and a class of undergraduates as the students learned some foundational information about teaching, and then as they completed their practicum experience in a local elementary school. Each of the students worked with 1st and 4th graders and helped them with their reading skills. It was so fun for me to work with the college students and the elementary students, and I learned a lot about literacy and even more about teaching literacy to young children.

I also worked closely with one of my  advisors on a project at a high school in Minneapolis where we (with other professors and another graduate student) help to support two IB History teachers in their quest to bring more literacy skills to their classrooms. And with this part of my assistantship, I had the opportunity to present some of our research on a panel to our department! It was my first presentation and I was more excited than nervous. It went really well, and I look forward to more professional development experiences in the future.

These two parts of my assistantship allowed me to grow professionally, and for that I’m thankful. There were some bumps along the way and I’ve had to get accustomed to people and how “the system” works, but I wouldn’t trade my experiences at the University of Minnesota for anything.

Something else I’m super thankful for? GREAT advisors! I have two of the most amazing, intelligent, supportive, caring advisors ever! I can talk to them anytime and have been able to seek advice from them about how to handle certain situations, about my research interests, and more. They both received their PhD.’s from the University of Georgia, so we have a Southern connection going on. 🙂

I am continually grateful that I can be a good example for my daughter, for my nieces and nephews and others as I pursue my Ph.D. I have been blessed with the opportunity of education and the importance of attending school and having a good work ethic was instilled in me by my parents and reinforced by family, friends and great teachers I had growing up. I hope that my husband and I are also teaching our daughter (and family) about the importance of not only receiving a good education, but about the need to go after dreams, to never give up and to take opportunities to learn, to travel, to grow and to be challenged.

I want my daughter and other children who are like her, and who are different from her, to have more opportunities than I ever did… and to defy stereotypes by not conforming to this world, but by shattering ceilings on the journey to the top!

-rch

 

New Beginnings: Ph.D. Edition

By now you might know that I have been accepted to a Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota, where I’ll be studying Literacy Education.  The road to getting to this point has been full of tears (both happy and sad), frustration, impatience, and faith. You can read about it here – https://thesouthernteacup.wordpress.com/category/on-faith/.

Yesterday, as I met with one of my advisors to begin thinking about what my work load might look like (I’ll work 20 hours a week in addition to taking 3 classes) and how my research might take shape, I began to get excited about all of the possibilities that were presented to me. I was also very humbled, because my advisor told me that many people on campus have heard of me and of my background and various experiences within (and outside of) teaching and want to me to collaborate on projects with them! WOW! I know that I’m a hard worker and that I’m committed to helping students succeed, but the fact that I haven’t even started school yet and there’s already a buzz about me on campus is startling and scary, but very exciting!

In my M.A. program, I was fortunate enough to secure a graduate assistantship my first year. Although I liked my job, it was a typical G.A. position. Luckily, I was involved with students and I learned a lot of different skills that I carry with me today. But now as a doctoral student, I am delighted to be able to do meaningful work and research surrounding various topics of interest to me within literacy education. I am looking forward to sharing new experiences with other students, with professors, with community members, with fellow teachers, and with my advisors, who have both been so wonderful to me.

I really feel blessed to be in a position to continue the work for God that other people have begun. As I embark on this journey to the Ph.D., I can’t help but think about how proud my grandparents would be to see me now, particularly my grandfather, who lead a rich life and who embodied a model of service that I hold so dear to my heart. When he was alive, he always encouraged me to go after my dreams; I know that he is very pleased that I am doing just that.

And as I prepare to re-enter the working world (outside of the home) and to continue my work as not only a teacher, but as a student and a scholar, I know that the next four years won’t be easy. I expect that there will be insane amounts of reading and writing (and re-reading and re-writing), and long, tiring days. But I also expect that I will feel rewarded because my efforts will make a difference. My journey to this point has been a long time in the making, and I’m grateful to be in the right place at the right time.

I’ll be sharing more of my journey as I work on my Ph.D., so be sure to read and follow my blog for updates and for my thoughts on the evolving state of education as I know it, as well as for insights I gain during the process. I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

-rch

The Value of Learning and the Strength to Endure: Never Stop Growing

At this point in my life, I feel that I am finally starting to get settled in my career. I just finished my second year of teaching in a pretty small school system and will soon shift from working with middle schoolers to teaching college courses. I am very excited about this transition, and the release of past situations and people. A huge part of my teaching program (and the school system) focused on developing reflective teachers. I consider myself to have a good grasp on this skill, as I reflect on many aspects of my everyday life, not just teaching. However, because education has always been important to me, and because it is my chosen career, passion and perhaps even calling – I will share some points that I believe are worthy of consideration, and some lessons I’ve learned on my journey. Enjoy!

On the value of learning…

• One can never, ever gain enough knowledge. I often think about (and have talked about in job interviews) my grandfather, who is a source of inspiration for many people who know him. At 95, it amazes me that his need for knowledge and zest for learning has not dwindled. He played a major part in my decision to become an educator.
• Knowledge really is power. Education can open doors for opportunity not even imaginable.
• It’s important to keep learning. The world is changing every minute, and with the increased use of technology and social media, it’s vital to know what’s going on to be able to contribute to society.

On the strength to endure…

• My two years teaching in public school have taught me many lessons, both as a professional and as a human being. This past year I learned the toughest lessons of all, but ones that I will use to help me grow in this career.
• One lesson that I am still learning everyday, and one that applies to work and home: Don’t reveal everything to everybody. I like to be transparent with people and expect the same thing in return. However, I have learned that it is not always best to share future plans, goals and dreams with everyone who crosses my path. I have seen people take things I’ve said and twist my words, use them against me, etc. It’s not a good feeling to open up to people and have them misunderstand you or perceive you differently than you really are.
• People are always watching. This school year a lot of things happened that put me in a very vulnerable state. I was very often angry, confused and stressed out but one thing I prided myself on (with the help of family and friends) was the strength to endure. I never wanted to go to work and let what I was going through to affect my ability to do my job, or my professional demeanor. Even when I didn’t want to be, I was respectful, professional and courteous.
• Character speaks for itself. Working as an educator of any type is hard. Any educator will tell you that it’s the hardest job to do. How you treat others and how you carry yourself speaks far more than words ever can.

On working in education…

• I never realized until recently how much education is run like a business. Truthfully, the realization is a little off-putting because I never expected it. Everyone has to report to someone and sometimes, do things that aren’t ethical. Education will test one’s ability to stand in the midst of challenges and make tough decisions.
• Although education is a tough field to be in, it is also very rewarding. The joy that educators at any level experience when a student realizes his or her potential is amazing; or when a student finally gets something you’ve tried to teach or preach about for days, weeks or months; or when you realize that the impact being made through this selfless work is worth far more than any paycheck.
• Children are works in progress. Adults have to understand this and be willing to mold them.
• Words are everything and are heard by everyone. One thing that bothers me is this: I have heard many people (teachers especially) say that they have told their children that they will pay for them to go to college to be anything… except a teacher. As a teacher, I can understand their point; teaching is hard work, long hours, mediocre pay… the list goes on. However, people shouldn’t be discouraged from their dreams, if teaching is what they really want to do. I’ve wanted to be a teacher for most of my life. Had my grandparents or parents told me not to become one, I would have questioned my dream. Had I not had encouraging, supporting, uplifting family, friends and teachers present during my life, I might have decided to take another path. My oldest niece wants to be a teacher and is currently pursuing her dream in college. I would never tell her (or my future children) to not become what she wants. I believe that our job as educators is to nurture and inspire young people to follow their dreams and pour into them wisdom and knowledge that will help them reach their goals.

On teaching middle school…

• Middle school can be summed up in one word: CRAZY. Children at those ages are experiencing so much that they don’t even know what’s going on.
• I still believe that middle school is the point where teachers can really make a huge impact. I purposefully wanted to teach this age group because it is challenging. Every day is different, and every day middle schoolers can change.
• Every child is not the same. All children don’t have the same background knowledge, skills or abilities. This is what makes kids who they are. It takes awhile to learn each student, but when you do, it’s special… and you’ll find out what makes them special.
• It’s important not to judge or underestimate children. I have been pleasantly surprised by many kids who I constantly complained about. When the pressure is on, or when kids decide to perform… they are AMAZING!

I could go on and on about lessons I’ve learned in my two short years of teaching, and I look forward to sharing more of my experiences. I plan to continue my journey in education, seize opportunities as they come and remain humble and reflective along the way. My hope is that whatever journey anyone is on, that they never take it for granted.

-rch

Random Mumblings of an Educator

As a second-year teacher, I often find myself mulling over these questions and discussing them in some form with different people: on the phone with my dad or my husband, in person with them or other educators, or via social networks (most often Twitter). But all this thinking and talking has lead me… nowhere. I have yet to figure out the answers, although possible solutions are offered.

• How does a person (or a group of people) change a culture?
• How does one motivate a person (or a group of people) to change for the better?How does one change the mentality of a group of people from one of negativity to one of positivity, and invoke forward motion?

I could list more questions here, but this is probably a good start (if you have an answer, please share!). From my experiences in teaching and education (I’ve worked in a Baltimore City public school, a Baltimore City charter school and a suburban public school in North Carolina), I understand that finding the answers to these questions is not impossible. In fact, this goal can be reached, and I’m sure it is at many schools across the country. But I also understand that it takes HARD work. Unfortunately, teachers sometimes get tired. However, I believe that it takes a small group of people with the same goal(s) and lots of effort to eventually effect change in their communities, in their schools, in their homes, etc. It’s easy to blame others for the lack of success groups of people experience, but it’s harder to actually change a culture.

I just started reading the book “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” And Other Conversations About Race… by Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D. Although I’m in the early stages of the book, it is proving to be an interesting read and one that could lead me to prompt further conversations about education, particularly the impact of race, with those I come in contact with.

In these very early stages of my career, I know I’m in education for the long haul. My education and real-life experiences have prepared me to try my best to not only teach, but inspire and impact young people. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: teaching is the hardest job in the world (from my – or any teacher’s) perspective. However, it’s a job that is needed, that should be valued and one that is not impossible to tackle.

Here’s to keeping the faith, as my dad would say… and to always doing the best one can with what one is given.

-rch

A Season of Preparation

Recently, I had an “Aha!” moment during a conversation with my husband. It started off as me complaining about how my second year of teaching has been… interesting, to say the least. It’s been full of challenges, surprises, successes and frustrations. Sometimes I feel that I am so ready to go back to school to learn more about the field that I’ve chosen for my career, that I think I can lose sight of the season that I am currently in: one of preparation.

College, graduate school (including student teaching) and almost two years of working as a certified teacher have taught me so much about education, about life, and about myself. This year especially, I have found myself speaking up more, posing questions to my colleagues and really (whether I’ve always known it or not), taking the steps that will prepare me for a Ph.D. program. My husband is currently finishing his Ph.D. and often tells me that the highest  academic degree awarded by most universities in most fields of study is not a degree; it’s a lifestyle. Watching him transform both personally and professionally while in his program, I believe him.

As I shared many thoughts with my husband, there were a lot of things that stood out and my thinking was even challenged by him on a variety of points I brought up. Although becoming a teacher has always been a goal of mine, it is really the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. Sometimes I’m not sure if my grievances and frustrations lie with school administration or the public education system (my husband suggests a mixture of both), but lately I feel that I have more to contribute to this society, and this world, than working at my current job. I really want to be a champion for education. I want to be a voice for the students who continue to go unserved, or who are not always served in the best ways, because schools and systems put too much emphasis on data – that sometimes teachers are confused about. What do we do with it? What is its purpose? How will the data we collect help struggling students? These are all valid questions, and I am just now seeing the value in getting a few years of work experience to be able to answer these questions, and many more, before I enroll into a Ph.D. program.

I like school. I like learning. I suppose I am a lifelong learner, just like my grandfather, who is a major inspiration to me. He, along with others, has shaped my personal and professional goals. Am I worried that going back to school after 3 years will be hard? Yes. Do I think about the struggles I might face if my husband and I decide to start a family in the near future… while I’m in school? Yes. But do I feel so passionate about education and making sure students get the best instruction possible? Absolutely. But I have the support of my family and friends, who I’m sure, will help me get past any hurdle set before me.

As my second year of teaching is fully underway and will end soon, and I am trying to figure out what I can and will do next, I understand that this is a season of preparation for me. The daily struggles of teaching and working in education have not been in vain; rather, they have served as building blocks for my future. I do not want to get a Ph.D. for the money or to earn some sort of fame or notoriety. Instead, I simply want to serve others. I want my life to be a true reflection of this never-ending goal. I am finally figuring out what my “lane” is, and I plan to stay in it. I don’t have time to worry about what people around me are doing because I’m too busy trying to achieve my own goals. Plus, I am indeed blessed and will always strive to be a blessing to others.

-rch

“Patience Is a Virtue”

“Patience is a virtue.” This adage has been cited many times over to many people, I’m sure. And this is currently the theme of my life and has been for the past year or so. I’m currently in my second year of teaching middle school and have found the teaching profession and all that it encompasses to be extremely difficult and frustrating for a variety of reasons. This year, I find myself to be (in my mind) bolder in my words and actions than I was last year. Last year, I was just trying to survive. When the school year was almost over, I found myself searching for other teaching jobs because something else had to be better than what I had. It turns out that I ended up staying at my current school, and this year of teaching has proven to be eye-opening in terms of the inequalities and the lack of justice in the public education system, not to mention that many schools are so data-driven that the real focus of helping students succeed is often tossed to the wayside.

I have been trying to figure out what I really want to DO with my life – because sometimes I think that teaching (or being in the classroom) just isn’t what I ultimately want to do – and I believe I have found the answer. Through various conversations with coworkers, with my husband, and with my parents, and by doing a LOT of self-reflecting, self-observation and self-analysis, I have decided that I do want to go back to school to earn a doctorate degree. At first I wasn’t sure which type of degree would suit me best and allow me to do the best work possible, but I decided on a Ph.D. in educational policy. In my opinion, as a professional, and as a citizen, and a future mother, the public education system as it is now is failing our children. This might be a cynical or negative point of view, but it’s honest. Teachers in public schools all over the country must endure many things to teach children many things – not just the subject(s) we are certified to teach. Teaching encompasses a lot – more than most people can ever imagine. And sadly, it seems easy for teachers to emotionally detach themselves from their students, meaning that high expectations are still held, but that students must be accountable for their actions, and if they fail to meet the teacher’s expectations, the teacher is able to leave everything at work, at work… and not take these feelings and emotions home. For me, this concept of becoming emotionally detached from students is hard. It is an ongoing process, and has been since I started teaching. I often care so much about the students I teach, and I really want them to just GET IT. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t. But I have to face the truth – that in order to spare my own emotional health and well-being, I must learn to disconnect from them at some point. And I find this to be so contradictory to who I am as a teacher, because one of my strengths (in my opinion) is connecting to students. I don’t always understand the hardships or struggles they may endure on a daily basis (and sometimes I honestly don’t want to), but I care enough about them getting an education to better themselves as people and as students that I do my job to the best of my ability every day, even when I’m tired, when I feel disrespected, beat up, exhausted and frustrated.

So now that I’ve made the decision to go back to school, I find myself wanting time to speed up. I want the days and months to go by quicker so that I can begin the application process, get accepted and really delve into the study of education policy. I really think I can become a champion of education and be a voice that advocates on behalf of students. At the rate public education is going right now, data will continue to be the focus of many schools – data that tells us… what? That there is an achievement gap? That students do lack basic skills for academic growth and development? But my question is “What are we DOING about the data?” How are we helping students be successful? Certainly not by sending them back into the same environment they came from and dumping more work on teachers while not making students accountable for their learning; certainly not by coddling students and talking to them so much that they expect to be excused from performing in class; and certainly not by constantly asking for data and JUST talking about it. There needs to be ACTION. And until that happens on a consistent basis, and with fidelity, public education will not change.

So here I am in my second year of teaching trying to make it until June. I’m just as frustrated and overwhelmed as I was during my first year. Maybe that’s supposed to happen. I don’t know. But what I do know is that sometimes (more often than not) I find myself wanting to fast forward time to the point where I feel like I can really begin to get plans in motion to fulfill my goal of going back to school, earning a Ph.D. and helping students.

I have recently been exposed to some wonderful opportunities in education that will hopefully add to the skills and knowledge base I already possess. I am looking forward to giving my best to these opportunities, and am thankful for them, and amazed at the perfect timing God sent them to me. However, patience, is indeed, a virtue for me. It is a lesson that I am still learning, even at 26, in my personal life and my professional life. I trust and believe that God will grant the desires of my heart, and I know that if I work hard to achieve the goals I set for myself, I will accomplish them. It just requires a little more patience on my part.

-rch

Growing Pains

Growing pains. We all have them. They’re necessary for our growth and development. My current growing pains? Deciding what I want to do with my life – specifically. I currently teach 6th grade and I like it. This is my second year in the classroom, and I’ve found that teaching really is the hardest job on earth. However, it is a very rewarding profession that allows me to see my students stretch their thinking and be challenged to succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

Although teaching has been very rewarding for me thus far, it is also VERY frustrating, challenging, hectic and just plain CRAZY. There’s always so much to do from lesson planning to preparing to classes, to attending meetings of all kinds, professional development sessions, workshops… the list goes on. Add to those things the constant scrutiny from administrators, parents and sometimes complete strangers and you might have a recipe for disaster. This is why I’m convinced that it really does take special people to be teachers. Some say teaching is a calling; I believe that, too.

I know what I’m passionate about – educating others. I love sharing my knowledge with others and infecting them with the love for education that I have and was raised with. No one in my immediate family are teachers, although various members of my family (immediate and beyond) help or have helped others in some way during their careers. I truly believe that serving others runs in my blood. I enjoy working with other teachers, with parents and with students. I love when my students finally get something I’ve been trying to teach them for a long time. I love to challenge their thinking and help them see that the world can truly be theirs if they put forth the effort to succeed. I am harder on my students this year than I was last year. A lot of it has come with experience. I try to have very high expectations and demand that my students reach them.

So if I like teaching so much, why are these growing pains so persistent? Well, teaching and public education are drastically different now than it was even when I was in middle school and high school. Sure, there were students who were disrespectful toward adults, defied authority and did stupid things, but (some) children nowadays are really different. I believe that (again, some) kids are just a breed all their own. I find it extremely difficult sometimes to manage behavior, teach, monitor students and juggle a million other things all at the same time every day. Does this mean it can’t be and hasn’t been done? Absolutely not. Are all of those tasks overwhelming? Absolutely. Which is why the question has always been posed (and continues to be): Is teaching an art or a science? Some scholars and researchers say both. I would agree. I’ve heard that teachers usually perfect their teaching skills between 5 and 7 years in the profession. However, those are also the number of years that (good) teachers begin to leave the classroom. And I can understand why.

I really believe that it takes special people to be teachers. Some say teaching is a calling. I believe that, too. Teachers have to possess a multitude of skills that aren’t always taught in teacher education programs or in regular undergraduate majors. Sometimes I feel like I have so many skills and talents that aren’t being utilized to their full potential. With a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees, I didn’t necessarily envision myself teaching 6th grade Language Arts/Social Studies (last year) and Language Arts (this year). But what I did envision is that I would teach middle school (by choice) and try to equip students with not only knowledge of the common core, but life skills that can be transferred from my classroom to others, and to the world beyond. I believe I have done that, and I am currently doing it. But it’s hard.

So, I have been trying to find where I fit in in this crazy world of education. Do I go back to school and earn a doctorate degree? Do I work at a college? Do I work in educational consulting? These are all options I’ve considered. But I think what I must do is focus on finishing this year and seeing what God has in store for myself and my husband (who works in higher education). I have been extremely blessed all of my life to have the BEST support system in my family, close friends and those I consider true mentors in the profession. In light of recent and ongoing conversations, I have learned (and am still learning) the following lessons, and I plan to always keep them in the back of my mind as I continue to experience these growing pains.

1) I am the light! Although I am anxious for God’s plan to be revealed right now, I must remember that there are children who depend on me, who need me and who love me.

2) As my grandfather used to tell my dad and his siblings: “Don’t give people a stick to beat you over the head with.” In other words, never reveal too much information to anybody, especially in the workplace. It’s o.k. to be open, honest and transparent, but always keep some things to yourself.

3) Be careful what I wish for. I know that any job, career, or profession has its frustrations and stressful moments. But, I am biased, because teaching truly is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Now it is up to me to take each day as it comes and remember that although I may not know what path God will lead me down, there is a path for me. In addition, I must continue to surround myself with positive people, and with people that challenge my thinking and views on education. I constantly strive to be a role model for my young nieces and nephews as well as for my students. My oldest niece is a college freshman and just declared her major as early childhood education. That’s awesome! I hope to inspire her and others to remember that service to others is the best kind of service. A career in education may not always pay much monetarily, but I do believe that the rewards I have gotten and am getting now are much greater than I even realize. So for now, I will continue to go through these growing pains and thank God for my good days and my bad ones, because I know that my passion and His direction will take me places farther than I can imagine!

-rch

Love

Finding My Way: Part 2

My second year of teaching has gotten fully underway, and I am realizing that I may not want to stay in the classroom for the duration of my career. I love teaching, I think I’m good at it (and have a lot to learn) and I adore middle school students (no matter how challenging they can be) but lately I have been thinking of exploring other options for myself.

I still want to stay in education because I feel that children, schools, and school systems need dedicated teachers as well as other professionals to continue to make a difference and effect positive change. I feel that I have a lot of different skill sets that are not currently being utilized in ways that I would prefer. Even though I didn’t take a break from school until last year when I started teaching, I never put it out of mind that I could and would go back to school to get a doctorate degree of some sort (an Ed.D., a Ph.D. or even a J.D.). I have begun to have several conversations with my husband, my parents, a select few others and my mentor to get some feedback and a little help in the things I can do with those different options. I have done a little research for myself, and am slowly but surely (still) finding my way in life.

I love kids. I love teaching. I’m passionate about teaching kids. But I’m beginning to think that it may not be what I ultimately aim to do during my life. I’m trying to temper my current feelings with advice from my father, who has told me on several occasions that a job isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about being passionate about something; waking up and being excited to go to work; knowing that you are serving others with your gifts and talents. I am definitely keeping these things in mind as I continue to do a little soul-searching and explore what it is that I want to do during my lifetime.

I come from a family of people who have served, and the many examples that have been set for me continue to inspire me and drive me to succeed, not only for myself, but for my family (and future family) and for those I will serve.

Stay tuned to see what I decide to do. Whether it’s staying in the classroom or going to the boardroom, whatever it is will be worth the wait!

-rh

Growing Professionally

After returning from the AVID Summer Institute.

Although this will be my second year in the classroom, I have been afforded many great professional opportunities that I hope will help me as I continue to figure out exactly what it is that I want to do long-term in my career. My school just got a new principal and she has not hesitated to call on me several times to help interview prospective staff members; she has also mandated that I attend a reading conference along with other teachers next week. In addition, I am a new member of the AVID site team at my school and just got back from the AVID Summer Institute in Indianapolis, IN, which was great. AVID is a wonderful program that supports students in their college pursuits. Many of the students in AVID are oftentimes the first in their families to attend college and graduate. One of the aspects of the program that I absolutely love is the family atmosphere dedicated teachers and community supporters provide for these students who often go unnoticed in the general school population. I was very excited to be one of two subject-area teachers to attend the conference and learned a lot of neat strategies to use in my classroom this year. (see attached picture)

I began my teaching career with the hopes of staying in the classroom, and perhaps education, but over the past year, I have learned so much and have been afforded various lenses through which to (re)examine my goal. I have no idea what will happen if I decide to leave the classroom, but part of me feels that public education needs caring, capable professionals to continue to inspire, nurture and teach this generation and generations to come. For the moment, I am content with being inside the classroom and doing my best to serve the children, parents and community of Asheville, NC. Although teaching really is one of (if not the) hardest profession(s), it is wonderfully rewarding; the stories I hear from veteran teachers, parents and students warm my heart and push me to continue to develop professionally and take advantage of all of the opportunities I am given. I am now beginning to understand that teaching truly is a calling, and that it takes special people to love the children that enter many classrooms each year. For now, I am one of those special, lucky people.

-rh