It all began........

My journey began like many peoples'. I have a wonderful life although it is quite different than the life I had planned. I thought I would wait to get married after I had built a solid career, maybe settling down in my early thirties. I planned to have one or two children (twins run in my family and I was excited and scared about that possibility). However, that's not the direction my life has gone. I graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in business administration. My first professional job was as a high school business teacher. And no, I had never considered teaching as a profession, but when I was offered the job (off in the summers and finished everyday by 3:30pm), I accepted. I had no idea what I was in for. I ended up working a lot in the summers and never finished my day at 3:30pm. Since I hadn't planned to teach, I had not taken any education classes, and I had not experienced student teacher or classroom management training. I was hired after school had already begun and though I knew a little about a lot, I didn't know a lot about anything. I really struggled as a teacher (though hopefully that wasn't well known) and felt like a failure. I related well to the students and because I was consistent and fair, I didn't have the discipline issues that a lot of new teachers have. I've really come to appreciate the four years I spent as a teacher, and age has taught me that I don't actually have to know everything there is to know to be successful! Life is funny. In my current position at the community college, I coordinate the high school partnerships program we have. I'm once again working with high school students, faculty and administrators from the school system where I once taught. Could I have been successful in the job I am doing now if I had not had the experience teaching high school in the past? I don't think so. I've come to realize my experiences make me who I am (for better or worse) and life is all about the journey! We might as well hang on and enjoy the ride!