I feel like I need to explain a bit about my vocation. I constantly get these questions: what do you do? do you get to stay home with Elle? what do you want to do when you're finished with your degree? The answers should be simple, but they're not. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a masters degree in School Counseling, and am currently working on my doctorate in education in curriculum and instruction. I've taught 4th, 1st, Kindergarten, and at the university. I've also subbed and tutored all grades, but this doesn't really explain it.
Frederick Buechner calls vocation “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” My deep gladness is education. I*LOVE*TO*TEACH! I get giddy over school supplies and planning lessons. I love vintage school stuff (the pic is a chair I found at a garage sale that Elle uses in the living room). My dream house would be designed similar to a one-room school house. (Is that extreme?) I'm passionate about reading and doing "teacher stuff". As Chris can attest when I'm in my element it's hard to pull me away. I've spent many early mornings and long evenings at school and then brought it home with me. Those of you who teach know what I'm talking about!
I feel this is a way to do something significant with my life. There are so many children who need quality teachers and stable adults in their life. I've also found through my studies at Baylor that there are so many things that I wish someone would have told me. For example, research has shown teaching ESL/ELL students the alphabet and to read in their first language actually helps them to learn English faster! Or that action research can be a really beneficial thing in your classroom. I could go on and on. Basically I'd like to take what I've gained and bridge the gap between the university and EC-12.
My favorite grades are kindergarten and university students beginning their path into teaching. (I suspect that I'd also love teaching preschool, media literacy, and children's lit.) For a while I couldn't figure out why I could love both when it's so different. But then it dawned on me it's because I get to be their first experience. I love being the one who gets to introduce kids to all the wonderful things you can do in school. Most kindergartners are sweet and so excited about the smallest things. I also love getting to share how wonderful teaching can be and helping students decide if this profession is their "deep gladness" too. (That's right, not everyone can teach, but that's another post!)
Right now I'm enjoying spending most of my time with Elle and someday the "not yets". I can still do "teaching" with her right? I find that working on another degree keeps me in the loop of the profession, but I get this precious time with Elle too. I also feel that the more knowledge I have, the more I can do for teaching. When I'm finished at Baylor, or maybe a little sooner, I'd like adjunct or teach preschool, or do professional development, or all three until I'm ready to go back full-time.
