Thursday, April 2, 2009

Writer's Workshop-Motives Uncovered




Gotta love Mama Katt and her Writer's Workshop Thursday. If you like to write, check her out!!


The Prompts:


1.) Why did you do it?


2.) What is a common misconception about you?

3.) Describe a moment when you felt afraid.


4.) In what ways are you turning into your mother?

5.) Are you always right?

Why did I do it?

Hmm, such a vague question that brings out all the guilty thoughts and moments in my sordid past. My nocturnal missions, my constant reconnaissance on unwary targets, my CLASSIFIED: NATIONAL SECURITY. There were so many moments that I could barley recount them in my tiny pea brain. So, why did I do it?

Why did I decide to teach?

Seems like such a thankless job. Add the whole coaching a fringe sport in a football crazy state, you would think that I'm a masochist. Maybe I am, but the path that took me down the educational path wasn't one that I would've chose.

I had graduated college in the Spring of 1992. In four years, I had achieved a degree in Criminal Justice and I was ready to take on the world....or not. I was in a pickle. I went to college to be a lawyer. Around the fall of my senior year I came to a simple but crucial conclusion. I did NOT want to be a lawyer. However, I had no fall back plan. So, for the better part of a year, I was in a holding pattern. I was also in my first long term relationship. Maybe it was the fact I could hang with her more, or maybe I actually listened to my Dad who always said, "Find a job that is always in need. Folks will always need teachers, doctors, or undertakers."

So, I packed up myself and went back to college to get my teacher's certificate (partially since me with a scalpel would actually cause more work for undertakers). I picked social studies because, well, I like history. Girlfriend broke up with me within a month, but everything else went pretty much to schedule. I found that unlike everything else, teaching was easy for me. Not the actual classes or practice, but me finding work. I had always heard that when God has a plan for your life, he takes away all road blocks.

Oh yeah, the confirmed bachelor in me also found love at the ripe old age of 32. The love of my life, Jill, may never have found me if God had put it on my heart to teach the young. Regardless of my motives, he used my path to give me the greatest gift anyone could ever have...a soul mate...a family...A real life.

That's why I did it.

9 comments:

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

Thanks for sharing this. I am actually considering becoming a teacher now. I am applying to a program that will help me get my certificate quickly and get me teaching by the fall.....I am scared....and excited....it will be a big change for me!!

Mama SeWELL said...

Thats a awesome story! Glad your not in that lawyer pool, most people have a certain classification for lawyers. Teachers have more fulfilling lives Im sure. When I think of lawyers I think of Sean Penn in Carlitos Way, and a few others not the good guys for sure! Here in FL we seem to have a problem with female educators taking advantage of young male students, so being a female teacher isnt to appealing I guess unless youre trying to bag a 14 yo. Thats why KC is going to private school! Great writing, and Im diggin the makeover, SM is good!

Jill @ Sneaky Momma said...

You have the perfect combination of sincerity, honesty, and compassion to be an awesome middle school teacher. It amazes me how much you love your students and look out for their best interests. You've been a great mentor to every student who's ever entered your classroom, indoors or outdoors. You change lives on a daily basis, just by being yourself. :)
I love you, hon. Isn't it amazing how perfectly everything came together for us to meet, fall in love and produce the two sweetest girls in the whole wide world? :)

Jennifer said...

whew, you dodged the lawyer bullet there! Teaching is such a wonderful profession! I am currently going to school to become one, so yeah, I think it is awesome that you are a teacher! Kudos to you!

Shawn said...

Great post! Wtg on the whole middle school teacher thing. My oldest son is in 6th grade now and it's quite an experience to be sure!

There's no way I could handle an entire classroom of him and his friends though! ;o)

Anonymous said...

I loved this! Sometimes the paths we choose for ourselves are not the paths intended for us. I'm glad you discovered the path you were meant to be on. :)

Angela said...

Sometimes the best things in our lives are the least expected :) Congratulations on finding your calling.

Jenners said...

Awwwww...this was great! And the world does always need teachers!

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