New Adventures

Isn't it funny the road that life takes us on to lead us right where we should be? I graduated from college in 2004 with my Bachelor's degree in psychology and went straight into the governmental work force. I did 3 years of work in the County Managers Office and then another 3 working in the courthouse for the District Court Judges handling Family Court. I moved up the ladder...I made a lot of money...I had a lot of high up connections...I was MISERABLE!!!! I wasn't happy with the people I worked with or the job that I was doing. I wasn't making a difference...I wasn't helping anyone.

After a lot of contemplating, praying and struggling, I made the decision to leave the governmental corporate ladder and try to discover what my true calling was...what can I do that will make a difference with my life? I was able to leave my job due my home-based business, Thirty-One, in which I am a Senior Director. I was able to work from home which was wonderful and gave me the time I needed to recharge my batteries and begin to find my path. I thought maybe that was my destiny, but soon I got bored being at home. My husband and I don't have kids, and there's only so much housekeeping you can do during the day. I decided I wanted to look for a part-time job...something to get me out of the house, but nothing too crazy! I remembered when I first got out of college, I was a substitute teacher for a few months and loved that job! So I went to our local high school and talked to the principal about maybe subbing a few days here and there. He signed off on my paperwork and told me they would call me when they had some work. I was happy...I could make my own schedule and work when and where I wanted (there are many schools in our school system)...it was perfect!

However, my whenever, wherever plan did not go quite according to plan. I got a call a week later from the principal saying he had a substitute job for me, but he needed to talk to me about it first to make sure I would be interested. I was confused at first...why wouldn't I want some work...I signed up for that! He told me that the job would be for a full-time substitute role, as the teacher had quit the first day of school (not sounding great so far) and the job was in the EC (exceptional children) department (now I was scared!) But I said of course I would take it thinking that it would be no more than just a few weeks and then I would go back to "my plan" and continue searching for my new role in the work force. Little did I know that I was about to find my passion!
I worked with the Inclusion Students in the high school, going with them to their classes and teaching a Curriculum Support class each day. I was so unsure of myself, but amazingly I took to this job so naturally. Eventually, the position became filled by an old classmate of mine, but it was too late...I knew my life had been changed! I had discovered the one thing I never thought it would do but am now so passionate about...teaching. But not just becoming a teacher...I want to teach EC.

I am now in the process of studying to take the Praxis II for Special Education for Mild to Moderate disabilities and am hoping by August to get hired on as a Lateral Entry teacher in our school system! I love the job, I love the kids, and I love love LOVE knowing that I am truly making a difference and helping these awesome kids!!

I wanted to create this blog as a way to post my journey to becoming a teacher, as well as the many adventures I will encounter along the way! I am so excited for this new avenue in my life and hope to be able to share my ideas, interesting tidbits and crazy mishaps in this process of my new life!