Often children are asked, "What will you be when you grow up?" To that question my response was always, "A teacher!"
Daydreaming a top a school play structure I'd imagine life as an adult. As I talked to classmates I would tell them, "I want to be a teacher and change."
Thinking back I am not sure why exactly instead of playing jump rope, 4 square, or tether ball conversations like this were entertained.
For most in life our first teacher is our mother. Maternal lessons learned endure a lifetime. Maybe this is why I wanted to become a teacher. Family and friends often describe me as being "bossy". But really I am a teacher. I direct. Delegate. Many times being called upon to organize people, resources, and concepts to achieve a certain outcome. It could even be that I come from a long line of Matriarch. Often times called upon to go above and beyond to manage in life and business.
The compassion, patience, and sheer determination of educators has always fascinated me. It's hard work being a teacher. Being a teacher takes passion. This passion was always evident to me when I saw others in the role. In the 6th grade I had a special teacher. Mr. M taught myself and two older siblings. He made a student want to do better, change and grow.
Mr M. taught lessons of etiquette, balancing a checkbook, how to set a dinner table and overall respect for others. Truly a one of a kind instructor. Many instructors barely have time to complete required Common Core lessons let alone teaching unique yet important life skills.
He made a huge impression on me leading me to want to do similar things as a teacher.
In my professional career I never held the title, Teacher. Nevertheless as a Mom x 2 I most definately am a teacher.
Becoming a Mother young in my adult life required I quickly find work to support myself and a young child. Knowing how challenging it was for teachers it was clear to me while passion to be a payed teacher was admirable, it wasn't realistic for me. Living in a high cost area meant needing enough to afford expensive rents and childcare, a teachers salary just wasn't going to cut it. In addition, more schooling and time away from my then young child would have been an added hardship on my already hectic life.
Fast forward several years, I was laid off from my tech job due to a huge market downturn just before September 2001. This prompted me to revisit my love of teaching and consider it as a career option once again. I enrolled in classes. During this time I successfully completed a few teacher prep courses, the California Basic Educational Skills Test, and even worked at a University. As life would have it, I just wasn't able to follow through on these pursuits.
And this is why I wanted to become a teacher, but never did.
This is post #2 of many that will be shared throughout the month of November 2015. I've challenged myself to participate in the #NaBloPoMo event and will be following the prompts graciously provided by Blogher. Interested in joining hundreds of others? Check out the below resources for inspiration and more info to inspire your writing.
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