Contrary to popular opinion, teachers actually do have lives outside of the classroom. I know, I know, it's very hard to believe. I had a hard time accepting it myself, but was welcomed into the "inner sanctuary of teacher truths" as a first grader when my Aunt became a teacher. You see, I knew SHE actually did normal things like use the toilet, wear jeans, and occasionally drop the f-bomb. If she was a teacher and she did those things, well, it was safe to assume that ALL teachers actually did. *GASP!*
Obviously I'm dating myself here. I don't think that teachers hold quite the same mystical other-worldliness that they did when I was a little kid growing up in New Jersey. Or maybe they still do -- but definitely not to the teenage students I teach. Maybe that's not entirely correct either. A few years ago, I was really sick and didn't go to school but had to venture out later that night because my cat had a vet appointment that couldn't be rescheduled. After the vet visit, I was exhausted and stopped by the local pizza place to pick up my daughter's dinner. I walk in and couldn't help noticing how incredibly crowded it was for a Tuesday night only to learn a nanosecond later that the ENTIRE boys' and girls' varsity soccer teams were having their end-of-the-season dinner. There I was with NO make up on, my hair up in an untidy (and unattractive) ponytail on the top of my head, and in my most comfortable (but also unattractive) pajamas. I swear, you could have heard crickets! Finally, one brave soul called out "you must really be sick because you look TERRIBLE." Ah youth. Perhaps that teacher-awe is still there to some extent -- but only when a teacher shows up in some public place looking haggard.
But I digress. A lot.
My point is that I figured I would use this space to give some background info on where I came from, who I am, and what I do when I'm not in school. Sounds like a plan. Onward!
I'm originally from NJ which is clearly evidenced whenever I say words such as "coffee, dog, or daughter." I graduated high school in 1990 and headed to New York to attend New York University. At NYU, I planned on majoring in Journalism, but after just one semester's class, I made a huge discovery: I don't like journalism at all. Not that it really mattered though, because after a year, I couldn't afford the tuition anyway. I took off a year from school hoping to be able to save money, but the financial aid laws changed that year, and I ended up getting about $.63 in aid (definitely not enough to pay my tuition).
Instead of making an educated choice and going to Rutgers University (where I would have most likely gotten a full scholarship because my high school grades were really, really good), I applied and was accepted to the University of Southern Maine. There, I earned my BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing in 1997. Why did it take me so long time to graduate? I won't lie. Prior to that, I was in perma-student mode and would have happily stayed immature and in classes forever. Don't get me wrong, I didn't like school (never did and probably never will) but I did like the social aspect of college, the fact that I was among learned folk, blah blah blah), but graduating (and therefore growing up) was not something I particularly wanted to do. But in 1995, I got pregnant with my daughter and BELIEVE ME when I tell you, nothing grows you up like the responsibility of another human being!
Since it took me so long to get my BA, once I graduated, I was very, very motivated to get my Masters degree. I had always wanted to teach (after my journalism phase was over) and so I applied to the very well-known teacher preparation program at USM. It was a difficult program with student teaching all day and classes from 4-9:30 at night, but the up side was that it was only for a year and it was well-respected. Pretty much all students who graduated from that program get hired within a month of graduating and I liked those odds. Even though it was competitive, I had very good grades (I graduated with a 3.67) and even better interviewing skills. So I applied and was interviewed... and then wasn't accepted! I had NEVER been denied admission before and so I promptly called them. The admissions lady very rudely told me that since I had an infant at home, she didn't think the program was quite suited for me. Then she told me that since it took me so long to graduate (five years at USM and one at NYU) she didn't think I could handle the schedule. I was, in a word, crushed. A fabulous administrator at USM suggested I look into another Masters program, which I did and LOVED it. I graduated in a year and a half from that program with a Masters of Science in Education with concentrations in Higher Education Administration and Counseling.
In my mind, teaching was out of the question (because I hadn't been accepted, I saw this as a clear sign that the Universe wanted me to do other things). I went to work in higher education administration at at a state college upstate New York. After one semester, I was given the opportunity to teach a course at the college. I agreed because it seemed like a fun thing to do (and it was) but it also got me hooked into the whole teachin' thang again. I taught every semester after that for the three years that I worked there. After that, I moved to California to another higher ed job, but only because it guaranteed me the opportunity to teach two courses a semester. After five years of teaching, I realized (duh) that the only part I really enjoyed about my higher education administration job was the "education" part of it. Teaching was what made me happy and I realized that it was what I needed to do full time. (Clearly, I had misinterpreted the Universe).
In 2002, I returned to Maine. I had, on a whim, applied for Maine teacher certification while I still lived in California, and so I actively started job searching. I was certified for 7-12 English/Language Arts, but I couldn't really see myself working with middle schoolers after working with adults for so many years. When a position opened up at a small high school in rural Maine, I immediately applied. During the interview, I KNEW I had that job. It just felt right! I started teaching soon after and I'm still there (and loving it).
My first year at SVHS, I taught freshmen, which I enjoyed, but it was a HUGE culture shock. When the teacher who had previously taught twelfth grade asked if I would be interested in switching, I jumped at the opportunity. Since I started working in September of 2004, I have had the opportunity to teach a variety of courses and work with a group of amazing students. I have taught Essential English, Creative Writing, Advanced Creative Writing, and English Practicum. This year, I'm teaching Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, College Writing, Creative Writing, Advanced Creating Writing, Maine Writers, Women Writers, and Grammar and Composition. (whew!) Next year, I'll be teaching more of the same!
Well then, that was longer than I had expected, but I'm sure it will give you a little insight into the wonders that is *me*!
