So yes, I believe that a working, single mother can have professional ambitions, too.
Today, I met with my principal to discuss professional goals, and I have a few points to make right away that I think merit some recognition here.
First, my principal (and this job, in general) is quite possibly the number one thing that saved me from living a life of destitution after my son was born. The past two years of my life has been an exercise in just how much violent change a person can endure, which, you may be surprised to find out, is actually quite a lot. Through my "barely making it through" days, he has been supportive and understanding in ways I can only describe as superhuman. For that, I am eternally grateful. My confidence has taken about a million hits (rough estimation), and to have an administrator that stands back and says, "I know you can do this" and then gives me the time, space, and support to be successful, is immeasurably valuable. My gratitude can't be adequately expressed.
Second, I feel somewhat like a child again. I feel like at age 30, I should be better prepared to run a classroom and I feel like all of my peers are heads and tails above me where professional development are concerned. I have ZERO levels of Orff completed. This may mean less than nothing to non-music educators who happened to stumble upon this, but it's a big deal to me. I have no official Orff training, no Kodaly training, and just my own ingenuity (and the internet) to steal from where resources are concerned. Considering my recent near-breakdowns, my ingenuity is not what it once was.
Those two points made, our behavioral specialist is saving my butt big time by helping me with all the classroom management pieces that I never had to worry about when I taught at a country school with 26 students. (I miss the rural school environment. I don't miss the pay.)
I want to excel. I don't want to be average or ok. I don't want to muddle through the day and hope. I want to make a difference and inspire my students. I want to open doors for them, impact other professionals, and be a leader. I want to use my gifts in communication, my intelligence and my stubbornness, er, perseverance, to be the positive change I wish to see in the world, even if it is only in little ways that ripple across and through the people I encounter.
My goals.
1) Attend as many music workshops as possible
2) Volunteer when opportunities arise. #learningbydoing
3) Find out how to complete my Orff levels
4) Look into masters degree programs to begin in a few years
5) Become involved in leadership positions in educational organizations and at my school
6) Drive, drive, drive, drive
7) Let faith guide my work
Easy, right?
Edit: 8) Adjust expectations.
Today, I met with my principal to discuss professional goals, and I have a few points to make right away that I think merit some recognition here.
First, my principal (and this job, in general) is quite possibly the number one thing that saved me from living a life of destitution after my son was born. The past two years of my life has been an exercise in just how much violent change a person can endure, which, you may be surprised to find out, is actually quite a lot. Through my "barely making it through" days, he has been supportive and understanding in ways I can only describe as superhuman. For that, I am eternally grateful. My confidence has taken about a million hits (rough estimation), and to have an administrator that stands back and says, "I know you can do this" and then gives me the time, space, and support to be successful, is immeasurably valuable. My gratitude can't be adequately expressed.
Second, I feel somewhat like a child again. I feel like at age 30, I should be better prepared to run a classroom and I feel like all of my peers are heads and tails above me where professional development are concerned. I have ZERO levels of Orff completed. This may mean less than nothing to non-music educators who happened to stumble upon this, but it's a big deal to me. I have no official Orff training, no Kodaly training, and just my own ingenuity (and the internet) to steal from where resources are concerned. Considering my recent near-breakdowns, my ingenuity is not what it once was.
Those two points made, our behavioral specialist is saving my butt big time by helping me with all the classroom management pieces that I never had to worry about when I taught at a country school with 26 students. (I miss the rural school environment. I don't miss the pay.)
I want to excel. I don't want to be average or ok. I don't want to muddle through the day and hope. I want to make a difference and inspire my students. I want to open doors for them, impact other professionals, and be a leader. I want to use my gifts in communication, my intelligence and my stubbornness, er, perseverance, to be the positive change I wish to see in the world, even if it is only in little ways that ripple across and through the people I encounter.
My goals.
1) Attend as many music workshops as possible
2) Volunteer when opportunities arise. #learningbydoing
3) Find out how to complete my Orff levels
4) Look into masters degree programs to begin in a few years
5) Become involved in leadership positions in educational organizations and at my school
6) Drive, drive, drive, drive
7) Let faith guide my work
Easy, right?
Edit: 8) Adjust expectations.
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