“…and we SHUT THEM DOWN because we CAN!”
Ooooooh, that Rizzo. (wiping tears from eyes.) I find that pep talk highly… peppy, whether it’s Herb Brooks giving it or Rizzo. And now, an update on grad school:
I’ve been meaning to do my grad work for… 21 years. Since I finished my undergrad work, if you want to get specific. Which I don’t, so let’s move along. I still don’t know if I have a job for next year, but I love working with kids, I love my library work, turns out teaching is a good fit for me. I like the order of it, the volatility and unpredictability of it, the way the kids blossom and grow and it’s like time-lapse photography or something, watching it. It is breath-taking. I don’t like to get into the specifics of it here because you know — it’s my students’ lives we are talking about, I’m just a bit player in their production.
But I will say this — when you can get an entire class of 7th grade boys reading, that is more than just a beautiful thing. That is exquisite, and it makes me feel like a superhero. Like a librarian superhero. And I can say, yes, this is why I’m here.
But I have been working as a classified employee (clerk) and that’s what I’ve done my whole life, pretty much. Gotten paid half as much as everyone else (except the other clerks, and man have we grumbled about it together) for doing the same work. Or sometimes for doing more work, when you run into people who want to lord it over you.
How clever, to wiggle out of work and dump it on someone who makes half as much money as you. What a smart, smart person you are to figure that one out. Yuck.
I finished my grad school application last week and mailed it Monday. Went to an information night at my institution of higher learning (as RSG, my little academic all-star friend, calls it) on Wednesday. Yesterday I took the first of many tests I will have to take on the road to becoming a certified language arts (English) teacher (for middle school/high school), a reading specialist (or English Language Learners specialist) and a media specialist (librarian). It will take me about three years to finish all of that, and I’ll be… (I don’t want to say how old) when I finish. (It’s like Dear Abby used to ask, How old are you going to be if you don’t do it?)
I passed my test. It made me feel like a huge success. This week I have my final interview, and the powers-that-be will decide if this cohort is a good fit for me, if they want me, basically. I think we’re all good, but it’s still a little nerve-wracking. Especially when I think of working part- or full-time, taking care of my own kids and my students, paying some attention to my husband (which I’m sure he would appreciate, occasionally, although he’s not a demanding type of guy), cleaning, cooking… oh, wait. I don’t do much of those last two things, anyway. I think it will be fine, but it does seem a little daunting.
But if I don’t do it? I know right now that I would regret it.
No regrets, they get in the way.
Wish me luck.
— wm
, 
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Wishing you all the luck in the world… I am certain that you can accomplish anything you put your mind and heart into! Go, girl, go!
July 18th, 2010 | #
Oh my gosh, how exciting! Best of luck! Keep us all updated!
July 18th, 2010 | #
You really do not need luck….you are so capable of accomplishing this all on your own.Best wishes and I know you can do it, and the kids you will be teaching will be so fortunate to have you on their side! Librarians and teachers get such a bum wrap dontcha know….prove ’em wrong my dear…………..xxoo Marian the Ex-Librarian….
July 18th, 2010 | #
Good for you, Nancy!
I went back when my kiddos were 5 and 8.
Admittedly, I didn’t have a PPS job, but I had all the other stuff. You’ll be amazed at how much easier school is once you’re a ‘grown up’. You have life experience and general knowledge you picked up along the way w/o realizing it. Being settled in your personal life and having a clear goal really helps too.
You’re showing your kids (especially Wacky Girl) such a good example.
Best of luck!
July 19th, 2010 | #
Oh, Nancy! You’re going to be amazing. Good luck to you. We’re all rooting for you!
July 19th, 2010 | #
Good luck! That’s amazing… you rock!
July 20th, 2010 | #
Squeeee! Yay you, I’m impressed! It’s so cool for your kids to see you studying, too…
July 21st, 2010 | #