Week two reflections...

So I had the best intentions to start this journal before grad school even started. I wanted to capture feelings, fears, questions, etc., but, that obviously didn't happen! Now here I am, already finished with two classes this term and done with my second week. I guess I'll just sum up the past couple of weeks and then start fresh with today. :)

I guess re-winding pretty far back into my life, it's pretty surreal to me that I'm actually here-- back at George Fox, pursuing my dream and immersed in one of the best teaching programs in the Northwest. I'm beyond blessed-- it's been such a long process. I will never forget the moment last summer when Lexie and I were on a train through the Alps, heading to into Germany. I was staring out the window, journaling, and thinking about all of the things I had observed in Europe so far-- the value of relationships, the importance of quiet time, the enjoyment of the simple things, and the friendliness of all the people. I had just started working for what I thought was my dream job-- in marketing with International travel. It was an exciting life initially, but one that ultimately left me unfulfilled as I sought for more meaning and purpose in choosing a life career.

So here I was, journaling, and I thought to myself, "If I could wake up each day and look forward to going to work-- to my real dream job-- what would that look like?" and I thought immediately, "to be a teacher." Then I started journaling about that and everything else I was thinking, and then just asked myself why I wasn't doing that? Life is too short to do anything but what is important to you! I had chosen this career because other people in my life wanted me to be successful, and from my growing up experience, money meant success. So anyway, I sat on the train with this renewed excitement and just started dreaming about going back to grad school and becoming a teacher.

Once I got home I immediately began looking into GFU's MAT program, talking with counselors, and studying for entrance exams. One thing led to another, and I began passing my tests, writing my essays, collecting references, and finally applied. Another 2 months later after interviews and assessments, I was admitted into the program. After 2 more months of waiting, here I am now, immersed in an experience and career preparation that is already changing my life.

Before I started two weeks ago, I was worried that I wouldn't be good enough; that I would be overwhelmed, that I lacked creativity, and that the financial aspect of the program would catch up to me. But I was placed in a cohort that couldn't have been a more perfect fit for me. The first day I knew that these amazing men and women were going to deeply affect my life, along with our cohort leader Ginny. I've already learned so much in two weeks!

We've talked about personal learning theories, what kinds of teachers we want to be in the classroom, wrote papers, opened up with one another about personal experiences which have affected who we are today, played silly games to teach our own students, had breakfast, laughed together, cried together and share the bond of our deep passion for investing in children through a career in teaching. I know I have a long road ahead in this program, but I don't want it to go by too fast... :)