Saturday, April 14, 2012

A New Journey Ahead

I have some exciting news.
  
I have been struggling for some time now trying to decide what I want in a career. 


I have been working in the architectural design field since I graduated from college, and I have learned that this line of work is not meant for me.  Unfortunately, I just can't sit in an office and use a computer all day...every day...


I long for variety, action, and a rewarding career.  One of my major goals is to be able to say, "I MY JOB."


I have been racking my brain for a couple years now trying to find my calling...and I think I may have finally found it! 


I have decided to go back to school for my teaching credential in order to teach elementary school. 


I have been working so very hard preparing school applications, taking required exams, writing personal essays, and taking relevant classes... 


and I just found out that I was accepted into my University of choice! 


There are big changes coming my way.
  

I am so excited to start school in the Fall, to learn and be inspired every day, to work with children, to overcome challenges, and to hopefully become an exceptional elementary school teacher. 


If you teach or have any advice for me and my upcoming journey, it would be much appreciated :-)

~Jess   

34 comments:

Kim-A Creative Spirit said...

Good for you. What a wonderful career choice. It is a great way to spend the day if you are working in a job you are passionate about.

ANNE said...

so happy for you Jess! Follow your bliss...

xox

Victorian1885 said...

Congratulations! I wish you all the luck in the world!

Barbara F. said...

Best of luck to you. It is nice to follow your calling. xo

Anonymous said...

It looks like you have found you're calling! Teaching is such a noble profession and if done with love in your heart there is no personal feeling greater than the satisfaction of knowing you are helping a child reach their potential.

Good luck to you Jess!

bluebirdsandbutterflies.typepad.com said...

Congratulations on being accepted into your college of choice! How exciting!!!! The world needs wonderful teachers, and it will be very rewarding to know that you are sitting everyday with little people who are our next generation of leaders. I am so happy that you have discovered the path in life that will bring joy to you. Enjoy your college experience! Congrats!!!! xoxo Kim

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Well done! So good to know what you want and go for it and get it. Good Luck. Suzy x

It's me said...

What a exciting news !!! so happy for you...love from me....xxx...

Jenna said...

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you, your going to make a terrific teacher! Hugs Jennifer

miss b said...

I hope you have a happy, successful and rewarding career.
PS I love the first quote - so true!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/

Teresa said...

All that energy and positiveness will do great with the little lucky ones.

Wishing you the best. And you're right - Life's too short to stand waiting for a click that might not happen. You're clever in looking for the answers inside yourself and fight for it.

What a Lovely Post. Wishing, and praying for, your Best. What you'll achieve will change the lifes of so many that's endearing to watch.

Go Jess!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Sheri. I say follow your heart always remembering that every season is beautiful in its own way. It's all about learning, and as long as we're open to the lessons, we're on the right path.
There is nothing like knowing our calling. I always say that a job is what we get paid for, work is what we are called to do. We can afford to lose our job, we cannot afford to miss our life's work/our calling. I recognized my calling 20 years ago, took a leap of faith, never looked back, and have never been more fulfilled. GO FOR IT!!
Oh, and I just shared this with my cousin who has been a teacher for over 20 years, I reminded her that teaching is a gift, one you take with you wherever you go. It's a good thought to hold on to when the calling/gift is challenged.
Much love!

Anonymous said...

Meant Jess...so used to Sheri. :)

NanaDiana said...

HOW EXCITING! I think I see a Golden Apple Award in someone's future. You will be an AWESOME teacher and good for you! xo Diana

Ricki Treleaven said...

Congrats! I taught before becoming a stay at home mom. I wish you well, and I hope that you will read and implement all IEP's for your special needs students. Keep us posted on your progress!

xo,
RJ

Libbie said...

Oh whwere do I start! I have too much advice! I LOVED teaching & that is why we waited awhile to have kids, I knew I wanted to stay home once we had kids...you are going to LOVE it...not everyday....and you will LOVE summer vacation even more than teaching :) BUT it is so rewarding! I just attended one of my past second graders birthday parties, he turned 21 :)

So happy for you!!!

Special 'K' said...

Congratulations! wishing you all the very best. I look forward to keeping in touch here with your progress. ENJOY! I am lucky enough to be able to say I LOVE MY JOB! I too know how very lucky I am. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

Elaine said...

How wonderful..no greater joy and reward than working with children

Ivy and Elephants said...

Hi Jess,
I am a teacher, and have been for over twenty years. There is no greater reward, nor harder burden than teaching. You feel their every pain and share their greatest triumphs. You are Mom, friend, and counselor.
I have had some very rewarding experiences and real joy with the children and parents that I was blessed to work with. Everyday won't be sunshine, sometimes there's rain. But oh, the rainbows... the rainbows are spectacular!
Best wishes,
Patti

TARYTERRE said...

FOLLOW your HEART. The REWARDS will be ENDLESS. Good Luck.

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations Jess,
I can feel your excitement.
Teaching is a fine profession.. My daughter has her own language school in Switzerland. She is a teacher of English..
I was a kindergarten teacher with my own little school many many years ago in Africa.. I love working with children. They teach us so much.
Happy studying.. enjoy your holidays
The family must be delighted
val

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I am so late, but your DARLING MOM, WHOM I ADORE, came to visit me yesterday. Please tell her A BIG HELLO FROM ANITA!!!!!!! HI SHERI!!!! DID YOU HAVE FUN AT THE ZOO? I love animals too my dearest.

NOW JESS....I am an elementary teacher and this is my ninth year. I think what you are doing at this time of your life is very exciting. We are living in times (unlike when my parents were working) where people decided to CHANGE careers. That is perfectly WONDERFUL! I just gave my resignation notice two Mondays ago. I went back to college at the age of 34 to learn French and all of that snowballed into a 17 year career of going to night school to finish my B. A., my M.A in Education and TWO TEACHING LICENSES. I have been working as a French immersion teacher for nine years and LOVED SEVEN YEARS OF IT. The last two years have only been difficult for me because I have discovered what I really want to do:

WRITE FULL TIME and use artistry to accompany my work. Also, be ready to endure many changes in education. With budget cuts, two teachers who do NOT speak French had to be let go, so we French speakers had to also teach English. Too much pressure for me. Maybe in your area, it will not be this challenging. But see if you can FIND A SPECIALTY like Special Ed. or another SPECIALTY (mine is French) because IF you are unable to find a job, having that added plus will help you. Two years ago, I could have lost my job but because I am a French speaker, I was able to keep my post. I will be however, returning in September as a MUCH NEEDED French speaking substitute teacher, eleviating all the responsibilities of a full-time homeroom teacher.

I wish you the best of success, and these journeys that we take in life are WORTH ALL OF THE EFFORT, even if in the end, we find something that is not perfect...but we move on.

BLESSINGS! Anita

Monica said...

beautiful shots!!

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thanks for your comment on my log, just recently!
And what a lovely choice.... Starting an education to be teacher at an elementry school... That's my job too and i love it!
Keep up the good work!

Focusing on Life said...

I was actually waiting for Anita's comment to appear.... and there it is. I know it's hard, I have many friends who teach in the States that do not feel the rewards, but you are young, and you have choices, you are smart to follow your heart. Like Anita said. Try and specialize in something different. Be different. Be aggressive in your studies, be # 1. Pick your school to teach in, don't let it pick you.
Break a leg as our family says.
Sending you love and hugs.
xoxoxoxo

C'est moi Claudette said...

Jess, that comment was from me Claudie. I was logged into my friends account where I'll be a guess speaker on Tuesday.... sorry
xoxoxo

Sandy said...

Jess,

I'm so excited for you! It's so important to follow your passion and spend your days in a career that you enjoy. Teaching is such rewarding career for those who are passoionate about it. Both my son and daughter-in-law are educators and they love it! There are so many different areas that you can pursue with this profession. Teaching isn't for everyone. It's important to be confident and in command of your class. See if you could join a support group of teachers to get their input or shadow someone for awhile to get their feedback. It will be exciting to follow you on this journey.

~Sandy

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jess,

Congratulations with your change of career, and there is not time like the present to follow your dreams.
Wishing you all the very best and much success in the next chapter of your life.

Hugs
Carolyn

Marco C. said...

i'm also a teacher and i love it, but my only advice is: be patience! :) you're going to need it ;) All the best for you

Barefoot in Blue Jeans said...

How exciting. I wish I knew what I want to be when I grow up(lol). So happy for you!

lesapeamusings.blogspot said...

So glad you came by and left the lovely message you did. This post reminds me of when I went back to school and the changes to my career that happened as a result. May God bless you and grant you success at every turn.

Lisa x

Unknown said...

Wishing you all the best that teaching has to offer.every day is a new day with so much to teach others. Always follow your heart and you won't regret it..

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Jess,
I want to congratulate you on your new journey. I have 3-1/2 years in on what used to be a 4 year degree for teaching, but never finished because I had four children. So I was a teacher, just at home. I have always been so in love with sewing and painting and pretty much all crafts that I have decided that is what I will pursue, but I will always fondly think of my vision of me in a kindergarten or first grade class putting up leaves on a bulletin board and making fun projects with children. Now that I think of it - it is kinda funny. I really probably never wanted to do the lessons and all that is involved with the actual teaching, I was just so looking forward to being around little children and doing arts and crafts. I should have realized that maybe teaching wasn't what I should have been doing but creating craft stuff. Duh! Well anyhow, good for you, I am very proud of you and I hope it goes well. I am going to be following this blog so I will keep track of how you are doing if you post about it!!! I'm so glad to meet you!
Julie

Deborah said...

Oh congratulations to you!!!
Im thrilled and cant wait to hear about your journey!!!

Deborah xoxo