As luck would have it, a total blessing in disguise arrived in my email just last night. It was very disheartening, but at the same time a "sign" if you will. As I was about to approach my supervisor about a few changes in my schedule and a voluntary demotion as a Program Specialist due to my practicum studies, she has written me an email in which it had been turned in to HR. I will have a meeting with her and HR when school resumes. Long story short: I suck at my position as a lead teacher with the philosophy that their utilizing at their center. I have been going through the grieving stage all day. I finally have the guts to sit here and write it all down.
My desire is to (desparately) get that elementary ed. certificate. Career-wise, THAT is my priority. Because of the state's requirement to have that certificate, I do have to make certain sacrifices to get what I want. Therefore, I have internally decided to go with the flow of things and just work for EvCC as a part time classified staff. In other words, I decided to step down from my current position which I do not mind at all. Like I said in the beginning, being a childcare worker, which I am, is emotionally and physically exhausting. There are those who have the talent to work with very little ones and I did have that talent a long time ago before these changes occured. But, this time, it's different.
Well...we'll see what happens after my meeting.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Chapter I: Acceptance
It seems to me that being a certified teacher in the State of Washington requires alot, especially one who already has a Bachelor's degree. Over the summer I took and passed the WEST-B entrance exam. Then there's the required measles shot. It had been over 20 year since my last shot, so I had to get one. Of course, there was the dreaded math placement exam, which I got only a 16 out of the required 20. I have to retake the darn exam at the Universtiy of Washington (parking is a pain!). Another exam, the Sexual Harassment exam was another one to take to be in the program. Reference letters, transcripts, financial aid were all the icing on that cake. Just going through all of that -- the acceptance phase -- was insane, but it was well worth the ride to get my foot into the program.
I am enrolled in the Teacher Education Outreach Program (TEOP) at Western Washington University under Woodring College of Education. The program is also conveniently located at other sites. Everett Community College (EvCC) is one of them. It's closer to home and I work right on EvCC's campus. Absolute convenience.
My initial intent to work at EvCC was to gain some insight into their ECE program and share that acquired knowledge with adults at a college facility. But...and I say this with a big BUT I was starting to find my love in elementary education once again. That infatuation was set on by being my son's volunteer teacher in his classroom every Friday as an Art Docent. The children were absolutely amazing! There were no kids to chase around, no diapers to change. They were NOT babies. They were self sufficient beings that were eager to learn more -- academically. It definitely hit me hard in the heart.
The fall quarter has ended about a few weeks ago. The perks about working where I'm at now is that I'm on the college's school schedule. When the college kids are on vacation, so are the employees at EvCC. I'm on vacation. That explains why my Prologue is super long. I had all the time to sit down in front of my PC to get it all down.
Before the quarter ended, I had my very first interview with my supervising teacher about a week and a half ago. She's the person who will be in charge of my practicum. I was very nervous, but I really like the school setting. It's in the vicinity of my neighborhood. The school looks quaint and not to mention huge! It's a three story building with classrooms that are far apart, but you can actually see inside each of the classrooms (it's obviously a liability-thing). It is a beautiful school. I was very impressed. The supervising teacher turns in her report about me to the principal and they will both decide if I'm the "right fit" for her and the school.
I am holding my breath and I can't wait to find out. If I get accepted, this will be my chance of a lifetime for that change I've been waiting for all my life.
So, while I'm waiting for that email, call or whatever, I am working on registering for my classes. Today, I visited a loan officer at my credit union to find out if I'm elegible for a student loan. It's a private loan. The FAFSA application does not start until January 2010 for 2010-2011, and I can't afford to go fulltime for the winter quarter. I have, therefore, decided to go with a private loan. The only disadvantage is getting a co-signer. I have one in mind, but that means asking for alot of personal information. It sucks, but I hope my elected co-signer will accept it.
I am enrolled in the Teacher Education Outreach Program (TEOP) at Western Washington University under Woodring College of Education. The program is also conveniently located at other sites. Everett Community College (EvCC) is one of them. It's closer to home and I work right on EvCC's campus. Absolute convenience.
My initial intent to work at EvCC was to gain some insight into their ECE program and share that acquired knowledge with adults at a college facility. But...and I say this with a big BUT I was starting to find my love in elementary education once again. That infatuation was set on by being my son's volunteer teacher in his classroom every Friday as an Art Docent. The children were absolutely amazing! There were no kids to chase around, no diapers to change. They were NOT babies. They were self sufficient beings that were eager to learn more -- academically. It definitely hit me hard in the heart.
The fall quarter has ended about a few weeks ago. The perks about working where I'm at now is that I'm on the college's school schedule. When the college kids are on vacation, so are the employees at EvCC. I'm on vacation. That explains why my Prologue is super long. I had all the time to sit down in front of my PC to get it all down.
Before the quarter ended, I had my very first interview with my supervising teacher about a week and a half ago. She's the person who will be in charge of my practicum. I was very nervous, but I really like the school setting. It's in the vicinity of my neighborhood. The school looks quaint and not to mention huge! It's a three story building with classrooms that are far apart, but you can actually see inside each of the classrooms (it's obviously a liability-thing). It is a beautiful school. I was very impressed. The supervising teacher turns in her report about me to the principal and they will both decide if I'm the "right fit" for her and the school.
I am holding my breath and I can't wait to find out. If I get accepted, this will be my chance of a lifetime for that change I've been waiting for all my life.
So, while I'm waiting for that email, call or whatever, I am working on registering for my classes. Today, I visited a loan officer at my credit union to find out if I'm elegible for a student loan. It's a private loan. The FAFSA application does not start until January 2010 for 2010-2011, and I can't afford to go fulltime for the winter quarter. I have, therefore, decided to go with a private loan. The only disadvantage is getting a co-signer. I have one in mind, but that means asking for alot of personal information. It sucks, but I hope my elected co-signer will accept it.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Prologue
Inspired by the hit movie, "Julie & Julia", I, myself have decided to write my own blog. No, not about cooking. That would make me a copy-cat. This blog will be about my days onto becoming an elementary school teacher. The title says "A Teacher Reborn" because, put simply -- I'm being reborn into a career from an early childhood educator to a much older and broader group of children...elementary children. This change has been in my heart for a long time ever since I started as an intern as an early childhood educator in the early 90's. I will explain that further below.
This change is not only for myself...it's more for my children. I am hoping that I will become a positive influence in their lives as they seek their own goals, hopes and dreams. I take pride in all three of my children, ages 16/girl, 10/girl, and 7/boy. (I haven't decided what pseudonyms to use for them yet as I am a very over protective Mom, but I'll get there sooner, if not, later.) Anyhoo...they are my pride and joys, and the stars and apples of my eyes.
By far, they have been academically successful in their schools. My oldest is in a Running Start program, which she absolutely loves. She's getting a head start into college at a very young age (she hates high school). My 10 year old little girl, whose social-emotional thinking is more of a mature 18 year old, already has set high academic standards for herself. She challenges her mind by reading books such as Shakespeare. If given a sonnet, she can translate it for you. My little boy is an avid reader. He, too, loves to be challenged in reading and math. He is currently reading at third grade level. He's only in the first grade.
Education has always played a big part in my family. Dad graduated Valedictorian in electrical engineering, and Mom got her nursing degree, both from the Philippines in the late 60's. My middle brother graduated with honors in criminal justice (1994), and my youngest brother just recently got his degree in computer engineering. I graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education. While my middle brother and I attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, our youngest went to college in Idaho a few years later.
After my grandfather -- bless his soul -- worked through blood, sweat and tears to legally get his entire family onto US soil in the early to late 60's, he emphasized that every one of his grandchildren become educated in the USA. I am proud and honored to be the first of his grandchildren to graduate with a college degree in the U.S. from Chaminade University of Honolulu (pronounced "sha-mi-nahd). My brothers soon followed.
I got pregnant during my senior year in college and graduated a month before my daughter was born. Prior to my pregnancy and in the middle of my intership studies as a preschool teacher, I decided that I wanted to teach older children. Working with a group of smaller children was exhausting and overwhelming as I had found out during my internship. However, after having my daughter, it was impossible to continue to go to school to get an MA in elementary ed. My daughter became my priority, so I jumped on the work-wagon right away and stuck with my Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education.
Living in Hawaii was expensive. After my daughter's father and I divorced, she and I moved to Washington State and lived with her father's relatives for a few years. I worked at various childcare centers as a childcare worker. At least with my degree I was qualified to be a pre-school lead teacher at any childcare, except Montessori in which I was required to be certified. I never got that certification thinking that someday I will teach inside a classroom with children sitting at desks.
Before I met my second husband, I tried my hand at working with older children at the YMCA as a summer camp director and before-afterschool childcare. I thought I had the skills and experience necessary to work with older children, but that didn't pan out very well for me, so I went back into preschool teaching. After my husband and I married, I became a stay-at-home mom for several years. As a result of staying home (for a very long time), I did not keep up with the latest on childhood development, but only through my children did I utilize my attained experienced techniques and communication skills to help them nourish their developing minds and personalities.
I did go back to work in 2005, but that lasted only a few months. That's because there were huge changes since I left the childcare scene. Time-outs were no longer being used and social-emotional development and self-help skills played of utmost importance in preschoolers. The reason being that before entering kindergarten, children must be socially/emotionally ready. Academics was no longer a priority. Preschoolers, including toddlers, were being taught to (e.g.) solve social problems. This is all in due part to NAEYC's (National Association for the Education of Young Children) policies. Although NAEYC's birth was in the 1920's, it's continued growth has improved childcare, most particularly in 2001. I will not go into details and specifics. For those who are in childcare understand what those changes are.
By the way, there are always NEW developments, criticisms, and research done about children in the early years. They're always controversial; however, in my own honest and sincere opinion and experience with my own children, there is no "right" way to rear a child. Besides, this blog is NOT about the philosophies and ideas on early childhood education. It's about my days onto becoming a certified elementary teacher.
So here I am 16 years later as I begin my life onto becoming a teacher.....an elementary school teacher.
This change is not only for myself...it's more for my children. I am hoping that I will become a positive influence in their lives as they seek their own goals, hopes and dreams. I take pride in all three of my children, ages 16/girl, 10/girl, and 7/boy. (I haven't decided what pseudonyms to use for them yet as I am a very over protective Mom, but I'll get there sooner, if not, later.) Anyhoo...they are my pride and joys, and the stars and apples of my eyes.
By far, they have been academically successful in their schools. My oldest is in a Running Start program, which she absolutely loves. She's getting a head start into college at a very young age (she hates high school). My 10 year old little girl, whose social-emotional thinking is more of a mature 18 year old, already has set high academic standards for herself. She challenges her mind by reading books such as Shakespeare. If given a sonnet, she can translate it for you. My little boy is an avid reader. He, too, loves to be challenged in reading and math. He is currently reading at third grade level. He's only in the first grade.
Education has always played a big part in my family. Dad graduated Valedictorian in electrical engineering, and Mom got her nursing degree, both from the Philippines in the late 60's. My middle brother graduated with honors in criminal justice (1994), and my youngest brother just recently got his degree in computer engineering. I graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education. While my middle brother and I attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, our youngest went to college in Idaho a few years later.
After my grandfather -- bless his soul -- worked through blood, sweat and tears to legally get his entire family onto US soil in the early to late 60's, he emphasized that every one of his grandchildren become educated in the USA. I am proud and honored to be the first of his grandchildren to graduate with a college degree in the U.S. from Chaminade University of Honolulu (pronounced "sha-mi-nahd). My brothers soon followed.
I got pregnant during my senior year in college and graduated a month before my daughter was born. Prior to my pregnancy and in the middle of my intership studies as a preschool teacher, I decided that I wanted to teach older children. Working with a group of smaller children was exhausting and overwhelming as I had found out during my internship. However, after having my daughter, it was impossible to continue to go to school to get an MA in elementary ed. My daughter became my priority, so I jumped on the work-wagon right away and stuck with my Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education.
Living in Hawaii was expensive. After my daughter's father and I divorced, she and I moved to Washington State and lived with her father's relatives for a few years. I worked at various childcare centers as a childcare worker. At least with my degree I was qualified to be a pre-school lead teacher at any childcare, except Montessori in which I was required to be certified. I never got that certification thinking that someday I will teach inside a classroom with children sitting at desks.
Before I met my second husband, I tried my hand at working with older children at the YMCA as a summer camp director and before-afterschool childcare. I thought I had the skills and experience necessary to work with older children, but that didn't pan out very well for me, so I went back into preschool teaching. After my husband and I married, I became a stay-at-home mom for several years. As a result of staying home (for a very long time), I did not keep up with the latest on childhood development, but only through my children did I utilize my attained experienced techniques and communication skills to help them nourish their developing minds and personalities.
I did go back to work in 2005, but that lasted only a few months. That's because there were huge changes since I left the childcare scene. Time-outs were no longer being used and social-emotional development and self-help skills played of utmost importance in preschoolers. The reason being that before entering kindergarten, children must be socially/emotionally ready. Academics was no longer a priority. Preschoolers, including toddlers, were being taught to (e.g.) solve social problems. This is all in due part to NAEYC's (National Association for the Education of Young Children) policies. Although NAEYC's birth was in the 1920's, it's continued growth has improved childcare, most particularly in 2001. I will not go into details and specifics. For those who are in childcare understand what those changes are.
By the way, there are always NEW developments, criticisms, and research done about children in the early years. They're always controversial; however, in my own honest and sincere opinion and experience with my own children, there is no "right" way to rear a child. Besides, this blog is NOT about the philosophies and ideas on early childhood education. It's about my days onto becoming a certified elementary teacher.
So here I am 16 years later as I begin my life onto becoming a teacher.....an elementary school teacher.
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