Nearly 5 years ago I was finishing out my senior musical, starting my last show choir season and imagining where my life would take me post- high school graduation. The beginning of forever and the real-world seemed like a lifetime away and, despite my desires, I didn't think I would get this far.
In just 14 days, I will be completely through with my college degree and be on my way to being on the other side of the school desk. I will be allowed to teach in the state of Indiana in just 14 days (provided I pass my last licensing exam and can make through the rest of student teaching without wanting to die.) Just like many college graduates, I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.. yet.. I am so ready for the unknown.
I have had 4.5 years of training to get to the point where I can educate the future of our world. I have spent countless hours lying awake at night thinking about how I could make my lesson planning better, researching the most innovative and best teaching strategies and figuring out how I can be the best elementary teacher I could possibly be. I shed thousands of tears because I thought I couldn't do, that I wouldn't be a successful teacher, that I would fail my students. I have read journals, books, blogs and teaching magazines. I have studied late into the night, with my fourth cup of coffee, finished projects that I worked on for weeks right before the deadline, and I listened oh so carefully during lectures and classes.
in just 14 days, I will be in charge of small people between the ages of 6 and 12. I will legally be allowed to teach them how to be good citizens, how to do subtraction, how to problem-solve, how to be good friends and so many more life lessons for academic and social success.
In just 14 days, I will have graduated as a first generation college student.
In 14 days, I will have made it to the "real-world" and be embarking on the journey of adulthood full force (aka, I can't use the "I'm a college student" excuse anymore).
In 14 days, I will (hopefully) have my first teaching job offer.
In 14 days, I will spend countless hours wondering how I can be a better teacher, how I can be better at planning lessons, researching the most innovative technology to use in my classroom. I will be reading journals, books, magazines and blog posts about teaching. I will study late into the night, on my fourth cup of coffee, to finish lessons and projects for my students success inside and outside the classroom. I will teach small people how to do math, I will teach them how to develop reading skills, how to study social studies, how to write and talk and listen. I will teach them how to be citizens, how to be social, and how to be a good friend.
In 14 days, I will have reached my goal.
In 14 days, I will be a teacher.
