07 September 2009

New Life Plan!

Okay, okay - I know you've all been waiting with bated breath.

I have decided to drop the certification of my education degree and pursue English.

It's kind of hard to explain. Basically, as an secondary education student, I pick a content area. My content area is English. So, I was getting a double major - English and secondary education. However, if a student goes non-cert (non-certified), the student does not student teach, nor do they take the portfolio class which is 0 class hours but occupies 60% of your homework time.

So, I decided to go non-cert. Meaning that, since I'm pretty much finishing up my classes for both majors this semester, since I planned on student teaching next semester, I can take WHATEVER class I want in the spring! And no student teaching!

I could be a teacher still, in a private school. Private schools don't require certification but most of them will have you get certified after you're certified.

And I know it's weird. I'm less than a year away from graduating, but I decided that I really wasn't sure if I wanted to be a teacher anymore. I may have mentioned it around the blog before, but probably not - I tended to push it out of my mind because I just figured, eh I'll do the education thing but then just do something else if I want to after graduation.

But I realized, why spend so much time doing something I may never use? Honestly, as much as I respect teachers, I really don't want to be one anymore. Watching Pete and Steve and Tim teach the last year or so have really opened my eyes. There are wonderful moments and not-so-wonderful moments, and I'm not sure if the wonderful moments will really outshine the bad moments for me.

So, what do I want to do? I would LOVE to write for a living. I'm not really sure how I will get started. I'm hoping to get an internship next semester, and take a lot more writing classes (it's sad to think that I would have gotten a double major, one of them English, and had only taken TWO writing courses), like The Art of the Memoir. After graduation, hopefully I can get some type of job/column at the place I interned with (that's ideal).

And there's always my writing. I've written two full novels (now, they aren't great, but they are written and there's a plot and character development and junk). I love reviewing concerts, CDs, and movies. So hopefully I can maybe make a little living out of that.

Also, I would love to open my own bakery. Or my own crafting supplies store. I mean, there are so many things I want to do. And really, while it may sound silly, you guys (the readers!) really helped me realize that I AM creative and that I should do something with it. Thank you all so much for the kind words and comments that you leave here. I see them and get a huge smile and it instantly makes my day better.

So, thanks guys! I'm really excited about the new direction my life is taking, and I hope it's fun! And in the meantime...if anyone knows of a group/business/whatever that needs or wants a writer for something...I'm around.

11 comments:

Pete said...

YAY!

Bridgett said...

Life is too long to spend it doing something you don't like.

Teaching is hard. And I don't mean to say that meaning you couldn't handle it. I mean, if you don't feel like it gives you more than you give it, it isn't worth it. It can easily suck your whole life away. I know I won't teach again (famous last words...).

Here's my teaching career in a nutshell
For when you're bored someday. There are two pages for that tag--scroll down to the bottom and click "older entries" if you want to start at the beginning.

Bridgett said...

Oh (I can't shut up)--I'll read yours if you read mine.

Anonymous said...

that is so awesome you figured out what you wanted to do! i hope you do get to write for a column or something similar. that would be so cool. good luck lady. i expect you to keep this little beauty updated while you figure out the rest of you plans!!

Paula said...

If you open a store--a bakery, a craft store, a store that makes tiny shoes for cats--whatever it is, I will shop there.

FYI.

Especially if it's a bakery...

Anonymous said...

that is just wonderful. it is so great to realize what you want and to begin to make steps in that direction. you should be proud of yourself.

Unknown said...

i love your blog and have been reading for a while. i usually dont comment but i wanted to tell you congrats! and i think you made a great decision because you are following your heart. people should only be teachers when they LOVE it. i know this because i did the same i dropped my EDU 2 classes till the end and only finished my art degree. everyone though i was crazy. that was 6 years ago and i havent regreted it a day since! GOOD LUCK!

Karen said...

It's tough making a decision like that -- good for you! I actually graduated with my writing degree and ended up going back to school for interior design. Haven't regretted it since!

mh said...

So glad for your decision! I know you would have toughed it out trying to teach, but your happiness would have suffered. Now you are on YOUR path!! Enjoy and good luck with everything! Let the relief soak in and wash over you. Relish it!

Laura said...

ready to open our etsy shop?!
...going for only english lit was a great decision. enjoy it!

Rosemary/sonrie said...

i enjoy new life plans, especially when they are creative and thought out, and oh, did i say creative? I was just thinking about you yesterday, and how we ought to get together for coffee and talk about our lives soon.