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A perpetual tonic...
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17 April 2002
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If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your life broadening and deepening, if your task is not a perpetual tonic to you, you have not found your place.
Orison Swett Marden
I had one of *those* moments today; I looked out at my classroom as I was giving a lesson, and I realized something - I'm a teacher.
This fact hits me every now and again, and at times, I still can't fathom the whole concept. I spent five-and-a-half years earning my degree in Education. I am not in my fourth year of teaching, but I often times can't believe that I'm doing what I've wanted to do for so long.
I've accomplished a goal of mine. A big goal.
It’s not the first time that I have been overwhelmed because of such a thing. My first major goal-related accomplishment is when I actually made it to Australia to do my practice teaching.
I started college (again) in 1992; becoming a teacher was my ultimate goal. I moved into the dorms (at the age of 23) to room with my best friend, who was also going to college as a more “mature” young adult. She had switched from one college to another when she switched her major. (College students don’t *really* do that, do they? Heheh.) Interestingly, she chose to go to a college that I had decided to attend, as well, without her knowledge.
I digress.
Moving on… One of the first weeks that I was in college, she and I were to meet at the commons to get lunch. While I was waiting for her to arrive, I was ogling the bulletin board that they had there. One of the things that caught my eye was a big poster that said, Student Teach Overseas. Since I was a very little girl, Australia has always held a certain fascination for me, and I decided right there and then (in the commons) that I was going to go to Australia to do my student teaching.
I looked into what it would take for me to do that, and I found out that I’d have to have a fairly high G.P.A., which wouldn’t be a problem. Although I had transferred to the school with a fairly low G.P.A. due to being lackadaisical when I first started right out of high school, I had done very well with each class that I took since first deciding to go into Education. I just had to continue doing well, and make sure to take all the necessary steps. Five years later, I was flying to Australia. It cost a lot of money, a lot of time, but I consider it to be an investment.
Those four months were amazing. Practice teaching in Australia was incredibly exhilarating. Each and every day I was blown away by the fact that I was actually thousands of miles away from my country, doing what I wanted to do, having a wonderful experience. To this day, I am still amazed that I was able to do that. I am amazed more by the fact that I actually followed through on something and made it a reality. I didn’t ever let that dream fade – not in the least!
As I stated previously, I considered it to be an investment. One of the things that got me my present job was that experience. It stuck out on my resume like a bright, neon light! My bossman, the principal, viewed my resume and thought, If she went to Australia, she’d definitely come here! Heheh. Well, I guess he was right! Yay for me!
Which brings me to the real reason that I began this entry. I still cannot believe at times that I am a teacher; I am a professional; I am a real adult. (Am I allowed two semi-colons in one sentence? *lol*) I looked at my students today and thought, Oh my gosh, all of these kids are my responsibility. I actually have a distinct purpose for my life – a reason to wake up and go to work.
How many people can say that they love what they do? How many people actually look forward to going to their job? I love what I do. Teaching is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever… errr… experienced! Heheh. I am overwhelmed by the fact that I graduated college, that I am doing what I really love to do, and that I make money for all that! Amazing.
The moment that I no longer feel myself growing as a person, the moment that I no longer feel like my life has a purpose that is demonstrated by the love of my job, the moment that I no longer feel truly touched by what I do, I pray that I have the strength and the fortitude to choose another... perpetual tonic.
(I am not going to edit this post. I just kind of babbled from my heart today.)
This has been a collaboration for Random Acts of Journaling - April 2002.
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