Flashback Friday....Teaching

This Friday it seems sensible to do some sort of flashback in honor of my teaching career. I wish I had taken more pictures at school with the students and staff, but I didn't. The best I could do was a flashback to my graduation day at K-State. I graduated in December 2004 with a degree in elementary education. It was really fun, because my little sister also graduated that day from KSU also. So when did I decide to become a teacher? I would have to take you all the way back to Kindergarten. I still have a worksheet that I did that year that was titled "What I want to be when I grow up" There was a blank to write in what I would be and a big space to draw a picture. Isn't it funny that at 5 years old, I had already decided I wanted to teach! I drew a picture of a teacher (which would be me) standing in front of students in desks with a speaking bubble that said "Read kids read!" And of course one of my favorite things to play with my sister was "school".

Towards the end of high school and first 2 years of college, I had strayed from the path of teaching after being discouraged by the low pay of teachers...I was determined to go down a path that would pay the big bucks! So for 2 years I took business classes with the high hopes of being a CEO in the corporate world. That just makes me laugh now!

It all changed one summer when I attended a Leadership conference put on by the Kansas Health Foundation, in which my mom and I were nominated for in our community. The theme of the conference was all about the kids of Kansas and how Kansas is such a great place for kids to be raised and educated. The highlight of the conference was guest speakers, Erin Gruwell and 2 of her students who were called "Freedom Writers", from Long Beach, CA. The story of Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers was the most inspirational story I had ever heard and brought tears to my eyes. That day, my hopes of becoming a CEO diminished, and my desire to be a teacher re-surfaced. This conference took place in 2001 or 2002 I believe, so WAY before the Freedom Writers movie came out. Of course, I'm sure you can imagine my excitement YEARS later when I saw the previews for the "Freedom Writers" movie....a story that had inspired me years before! Most people hadn't even heard of the "Freedom Writers" and I had not only heard the story but had met the teacher and students that the whole movie was about! My mom even bought me their book (see picture below) that Erin Gruwell signed.

So needless to say, I returned to school after that summer and changed my major. It felt right. I finally felt like I was doing what I was intended to do.

After graduating in December 2004, and marrying Dave several weeks later, we moved to Newton where I would get my first teaching job. August 2005, I started teaching 3rd grade at Slate Creek Elementary. I have LOVED Slate Creek and all the staff there. I have worked with the most incredible team of 3rd grade teachers EVER, who have come to be some of my very dear friends.

Today, I just finished my 3rd year of teaching. In just 3 years I have experienced some of the biggest highs and lows of my life. From those sweet little hugs and those "I finally got it!" expressions to having things thrown at me and having to take on the role of "protector" of 20 little bodies....I have loved and hated being a teacher! I can only hope that I have left even just a small impression on someone that has crossed my path in the last 3 years.

But here is where my life now brings me....

I have always dreamed of being able to be a stay-at-home mom. And I am so excited to be taking on this new direction in my life. Today was bittersweet...I'm sad to be leaving all the little lives that I hope I touch each day in the classroom and I'm VERY sad to be leaving the wonderful friends I've made at Slate Creek...but I feel truly blessed to be able to now focus on the 2 little angels that I have at home.

So, mom by day, jewlery lady by night...thank goodness for Premier (my jewelry business going on 4 years) and the outlet it will give me to still have my own identity and reason to get dressed in more than just sweats and get out of the house....not to mention, the ability to still contribute to my family financially! Goodbye teaching....for now. We'll see what the future brings. Hello KIDDOS!!! I'm home for good!!