My Big Decision

I have decided to go back to school to become an Elementary School teacher!

Teaching has always been an interest and talent of mine. 

• When I was in eighth grade I was a teacher's aid in a fourth grade classroom. I don't remember how I was able to do it. But my school allowed me to leave school to help out this teacher. I graded papers and taught lessons.
• Each time I would babysit Leann (a neighborhood girl), I would teach her algebra. She loved it, I loved it, and her parents were pretty impressed with their little girl.
• While I was in middle school I tutored kids my own age on how to play the flute. Ironically I have unfortunately completely forgotten how to read music.
• As a senior in High School I tutored my brother in math. We would ride our bikes to the herring run and study in the most peaceful place. We even got our picture in The Cape Cod Times. He had since surpassed me in his mathematical knowledge and most likely will be tutoring me soon!
• One of my first calling was as a Sunbeam teacher (3-5 year old children at that time) for our branch. I loved every minute of it. It was at that time I decided to attend Bridgewater State College to pursue a teaching degree.
• I loved being at BSC and did very well in my education courses. In order to get an education degree, BSC required you have a double major. So my other major was Speech Communications. After my first year at BSC I looked at what I had left for college (since I had already attended two years at Cape Cod Community College). It was then I realized that if I dropped my education major I would graduate a year sooner. So I foolishly did just that, I dropped my education major.
• After graduating for BSC I still did a lot of teaching. I tutored resteraunt managers who could not pass the tests which were required by the state and Burger King. I worked as a Regional Training Manager for the nations largest private security firm. I worked there for almost 5 years.
• Being a parent you are inheritanly a teacher of many subject.
• For the past three years I have been called as the Primary President for our ward. This requires me to teach just about every Sunday.
• Last spring Keith and I went to NYC for a seminar, which I ened up teaching. And then was asked to teach again the same seminar in Boston. This was for our Italian Album company.
• And even closer to home I have been helping out a lot (at least monthly) in Kaitlyn's classroom. I have even had to prepare lesson plans for three hour lesson. And I loved every minute of it.

So a week ago Friday, I had my friend Lynn over for dinner. And I asked her what I needed to do to become a teacher. After listening to her excellent advice I went to BSC the following Monday. After getting the run around (litteral I was sent to the East campus and then the West, then back to the East, and again to the West) I discovered that this will be a two year process.

1. Pass three licensure test mandated by the state.
2. Pass three courses at BSC and maintain a 3.0 or greater in these course.
3. Apply to either the Post-Baccalorate or Master in Education Graduate Program.
4. Pass 5 or 6 additonal course.
5. Complete my student teaching at the school assigned to me by BSC.
6. Apply for a job!

This will be a two year process once I pass the first three tests. So needless to say I have been busy studying on top of everything else I have on my plate.