Sunday, May 22, 2016

A Journey's Milestones - Time to Reflect and Give a Tearful Thanks

To reach a meaningful goal, there is a journey.  Along the way, milestones signify progress, help maintain focus, and provide encouragement.  In my journey to become an effective educator, I've reached such milestones.  Today, I am proud to pause for a brief moment in my journey to reflect as I graduate with a Masters degree in Childhood Education.

Recently, I completed my degree requirements with an amazingly fulfilling student teaching semester.  A few months later, I attained state certification to be a teacher.  While these were significant achievements, I treated them as mere steps towards my goal with little fanfare.  When my wife asked if I was excited to walk in this spring's commencement, I was indifferent seeing it as just another step.  I viewed all the hard work and sacrifice during the past 45 months as a foundation for the future. However, as today's ceremony drew nearer, I began to appreciate my accomplishment.  I even grew increasingly emotional about it. 

I've been thinking about all the genuine encouragement from family, friends, and acquaintances who know about my journey.  I recall sharing my decision to leave a wonderful career that I loved and the many colleagues who wished me well.  I think back to presenting a TEDx talk to spark young men and women at my former high school to define their dreams.  I am grateful when caring, experienced educators have generously shared their expertise and given me their confidence.  One recent moment that has made me particularly emotional is hearing from a young man how I inspired him to pursue his own passions. 

I also cry when I think about my mom who would have been so darn proud of me today. 

As I continue to share my journey with my children, I know they have learned a great life lesson.  They have motivated me.  Additionally, none of this would be possible without my wife who has been my biggest fan and has provided a tremendous amount of support in countless ways.

I am so extremely humbled by all the love, support, well wishes, and encouragement I continue to receive.  Just thinking of the many kind words have moved me to tears throughout writing this blog post.  Thank you so very much.

The journey is far from over however.  Now, back to work towards my goal of being an effective educator!


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

One big step done... a bigger one ahead.

Three years ago, I became a student again.  It sure felt weird.  The last time I was a student, there was no internet and the first George Bush was president. But, there I was, in September 2012, in front of my laptop starting another step in my pursuit to be an effective educator.  

22 classes and thousands of working hours later, I embarked on the final semester of my graduate program.  On September 1, I became a student teacher.  I was beyond excited to get in the classroom to learn from experienced teachers and to work with students.  I looked forward to connecting, engaging, and teaching children who hopefully would be forgiving as I learned my craft. 

My expectations of this experience were surpassed greatly.  Those four months were amazingly rewarding and fun.  I learned a great deal from some outstanding teachers. I also learned from each of the fantastically unique students.  

With lots of hugs, well wishes, encouragement and an armful of unexpected gifts from a great group of boys and girls, I bid farewell on my last day as a student teacher.  I absolutely loved being a student teacher and can't wait to have my own set of students one day.  

It is hard to believe that I have finished my graduate degree program and received state certification.  Three years have gone by so quickly.  However, my journey to be an effective educator is not even close to complete as I will join many others in the hunt for a job so I can have the opportunity to teach.  Until then, I have been cherishing the many wonderful memories that I will always keep of being in a classroom as a student teacher for 17 weeks.