At the time of my writing this, I am about a week shy of my 24th birthday. As a reflective creature, I've spent some time over the past week or so thinking about what the past few years have looked like for me in terms of my journey to becoming a teacher. The time between high school graduation and college graduation felt like simultaneously the slowest and quickest years of my life, truly a whirlwind. As a young woman who now has real teaching experience in her own classroom, I often think about that young girl, fresh out of high school with a heart for making a difference in the lives of kids. If I could talk to my 18 year old self and offer her encouragement and advice, this is what I'd tell her. Pre-teacher Courtney, this one's for you.
Dear Courtney,
Congratulations. You're a recent high school graduate with your heart set on becoming a teacher. You didn't choose teaching, teaching chose you, and one day you'll fully understand the depth of what that means. I know you're excited about what the future will bring, but you're also feeling anxious and uncertain, and that's okay. Contrary to what you currently believe, you're not the only person your age who doesn't have it all figured out. As someone who knows how the early chapters of your story unfold, I want to tell you a few things.
First, let's talk about college. Yes, you made the right choice with MTSU. Going there will enable you to live at home and grow in your roles as a daughter and a sister. It will also allow you to keep a job where you'll gain invaluable experience with children and families every day. You'll WILL get over your fear of driving and before you know it, you'll even be comfortable taking the interstate to school. You go girl! As it turns out, there are more struggles with being a commuter than just the drive. It will be a bit of a lonely time for you, as high school friendships fade and fall to the wayside. You'll spend as little time on campus as you can get away with in the beginning as you adjust to your newfound autonomy and responsibility as a college student. You won't really have much of a niche, not until later. Those first two years will feel like a drag as you get through general education classes, but you'll make it. The one thought that will keep you motivated through it all? Your future students. Eventually, you'll finally get into Education classes that'll provide you with the knowledge that you've craved for years. You will finally be among people who have goals similar to yours. You'll thrive during this time as you soak up a plethora of information about the inner workings of classrooms and your future responsibilities. (Later on, you'll even take a condensed class that'll require you to read 13 novels in 14 days. Seriously. Get the coffee ready.) This time in its entirety will ultimately shape your character in a big way. You'll spend a lot of time contemplating whether you're doing things right, but in time you'll learn to trust that you are.
Next, let's talk student teaching. I know that this is one of the things you fear most because you're a perfectionist and you don't want anyone to see you mess up. Student teaching will not turn out to be the nightmare that you currently envision. God will truly look out for you on this one. Are you ready? You'll get not one, but two amazing placements. One elementary, one middle. You'll have two amazing mentors who will support you and influence you in the best ways. You'll meet students who will hold a special place in your heart forever. This time will also characterized as a time of testing and big projects that determine whether or not you get to fulfill this dream of yours. It'll be stressful, but it all works out in the end. One piece of advice. Get comfortable with waiting and anticipation.
Finally, I'll address the one question that you still have. You know the one I'm talking about. Where will I end up teaching? I know you've got your heart set on getting the opportunity to one day teach within the walls of a place that's very special to you, but let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. For starters, you'll have a few interviews. You'll be nervous, but you'll leave each one feeling immense gratitude for the chance to talk with and be considered by different schools. On the day that you think will be the last of your interviews, you'll get a call for one final one. The one. Your nervousness and anxiety for previous interviews will be far outweighed by this one, but you'll leave there feeling like you left it all on the table. Remember what I told you about waiting and anticipation. In the waiting you'll have to make a choice. You'll have to take a leap of faith and trust that things will work out the way they're supposed to...
And after a few years of long days, sleepless nights, hard work, stress, MANY miles put on the car, successes, failures, and a few tears shed along the way, you'll get a call. The call. An invitation for you to come back to a place that has always felt like home. A dream come true.
There's so much more that I could tell you about your journey, but I've got to let you figure out some things organically, in the moment. Just know this, it'll be a challenging ride, but also a remarkably beautiful and rewarding one. You've got this.
Love,
Your Future Self
I love your reflections!
ReplyDelete