I can still remember typing up absentee slips on a baby blue Corona typewriter as my 8 year old sister taught her class in our bedroom. At 10, I hunt and pecked my way through the typing, but I think she appreciated that administrative "assistance" when we played school. We all assumed that she would be the teacher in the family. She loved to grade papers and pick out reward stickers. In elementary school, she was very happy to pass her day in this imaginary classroom. By high school, her interest in teaching faded and she went on to pursue other goals.
As I got older, my interest in teaching as a career increased. The whole family, including me, never really saw that potential role for me. As a kid, I danced around with a bunch of career ideas: dancer (that was a stretch), artist (loved to sketch), playwright/director (my poor sister and brother had to perform my plays), and journalist (always an information hound). When I was in college, I initially majored in communications/journalism. Once I heard that I would most likely have to jump from city to city in the early years, I switched to an English/world lit major. At 18, I didn't want to be away from my family in a far away state.
All these years since college graduation, I find that pull to pursue a teaching career. I have about 12 masters' education credits. Once I started popping out all those lovely babies, my graduate education had to be put on hold. I debate back and forth with myself about whether I should continue my teacher preparation education. The cost and time hold me back. I will be working again before you know it. Having worked in large companies before, I guess I could go back to that world. But there is a big part of me that wants me to follow the teaching dream.
At school functions, I catch myself watching the teachers as they interact with the kids. I'm so impressed with all they try to accomplish in a day. I think that I could be an effective, caring teacher. At this ripe age of 40, I think I may be finally finding a vocation for me. I just don't know if it would be financially responsible for us to take on the tuition cost now or at any time.
Will I regret, in some small way, not following this calling to teach when I'm in my golden years? I know that I could look into other rewarding fields, but I do have that teaching "itch".
All those years of playing school must have rubbed off on me.
14 comments:
Kelly, I had no idea but upon contemplation teaching seems like the exact kind of place for you. You would be so inspiring to fresh young minds. I know what you mean about the cost and the time but there is a price you pay for going into a job you don't find fulfilling. I hope that you consider very seriously finishing your masters (I don't know how teacher's college works in the states). Don't let a little thing like cost deter you. Borrow the money and in no time you will see that it was well justified!
I say go for it. You seem like you have the drive and the loving patience needed to be an excellent teacher. Don't let your dreams go to waste, only to look back later and wish you had pursued a career in education. Check into grant opportunities or see if you can find a low interest loan. If you're doing what you love, it will definitely be worth it down the road.
Good luck with whatever you decide! :)
You know we're here supporting you!!
Go for the teaching! I too have debated whether to go back to school to get my teaching credential. I remember reading somewhere you can never get really good at something that you're not passionate about. Live out your golden years and do somethig your passionate about, teach.
Never too late to pursue a desire!
This is so hard. I feel the pull of going back to work all the time.. and I'm not even done having the kids yet!
If it's truly a dream of yours, there is never a time like the present to pursue the work towards the goal.. because it sounds, like everything else we take care of as Moms, like it would have to be fit in AROUND your family's schedule!
I believe there are many different paths we can take in our lives and yes, we may look back and wish we took one path instead of another, but I think that whatever path you choose can in the end be the best for you if you make it the best by planting flowers along the way and looking to the bright side of where you are. You can always make a new path. If you choose to teach now, you can do so and I bet you would enjoy it. But if it never happened, I'm sure you won't regret that so much at the end of your life as long as you still have a grand life! It's all up to you.
i think that you should follow your dream. maybe you can do some classes online. it might be easier than you think!
I think you'd be a wonderful teacher, and in considering returning to school, know too that there are graduate school scholarships, as well as college grants to help defray the costs. Also, you'd have the same time off as your children, summers and school vacations, which would be such a blessing, still giving you so much time at home!
I'm totally with you in that longing. I've often said that if I were laid off I'd go back to get my Masters to teach. You'd make a great teacher, and ... you've gotten a good portion of the way there. There are some teaching for professionals transition programs that are pretty flexible and cost effective that I've heard about. Have you looked into them?
I can really see you as a teacher. You'd make a great one. I hope you can find a way to achieve this dream if it's really want you want.
I always say - scratch the itch.
:)
You could be the one that makes a real difference in someone's life. I suspect teaching has never been easy, but especially now, it must be an incredible challenge.
Septembermom...
I like the others know that you should follow your dream. I can tell you from personal experience. My wife is 57, she...like you ...always wanted to teach but went off in a different direction. She regrets this decision more than any other she has made in her life. She wishes so badly that she would have taught early on. If you have that calling...go for it...from just the interaction on the blogs...you seem like a teacher to me.
Dan
Teaching is my passion, it is what I was put on this earth to do. I pray you find peace in your pull towards teaching. Things will fall into place and when the time is right, you will follow your dreams. :)
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