Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Dream Job

Growing up, I ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher. Seriously. Going back to my farthest memories (around 3 or 4,) I wanted to teach and be in the classroom. And that was about the extent of my knowledge on the subject.

Starting in late elementary school, I surrounded myself with kiddos, and loved "helping" them, however I could.

By Middle school, I was babysitting. And making lessons for each time I went to abysit. Seriously. I was awesome. (somewhere along the years, I lost that though, and went to sitting obs a lot less prepared.)

In high school, at the age of 16, I became licensed and certified as a Florida preschool teacher.

I also began nannying 4-5 days a week when I was only 14 years old. Crazy. I would go straight to their house after school, greet them after school, make a snack, help them through homework, drive them (once I had my license!) to pop warner cheerleading or basketball, or appointments, and made sure they were showered and got some time playing outside. And that was the next 7 years of my life.
I loved it.
And I miss them so much.

THEN, I startd college, and I got to go into elementary classrooms to observe and help. My vision of my classroom changed. I was suddenly aware of the need for a schedule. The need for direction.

By the time I was in my internships, I knew I was going to have to fight to have my creative, warm and inviting, book loving classroom.

And then, I graduated, and suddenly the crashing education job market made me keenly aware that I didn't care what kind of job I got, I just wanted a job.

5 months later, I finally had a "job," but something wasn't right. The school maybe wasn't a great fit. Or maybe it was the area. Whatever it was, it was just not right.

And then I lost my job. Stupid "economic " crisis.

And then I got a long term subbing job, and suddenly, I realized how easy it would be for some people to burn out in teaching.
I was tired.
I was not satisfied.
I was mad.
Sad.
Grumpy.
Dreading work.

And it has slowly dawned on me that maybe I did not want to actually work in the public school classroom.

So my dream job has now become the following:
To homeschool someone else's kids for them.
To be able to design my own curriculum implement strategies, and to have a small class size.
I'd love to do that with my own kids, but we know that THAT won't be happening in the Galloway household for awhile.

3 comments:

Callie said...

Were you homeschooled Brittany? Juat curious. I was homeschooled, and I loved it! I would highly recommend considering it for your own kids. I know there are homeschool co-ops out there too, where you can join a group of other homeschooled moms and teach one or two extra classes to homeschoolers - but I know that with homeschooling the parent has to do the majority of the teaching (unless your teaching degree changes that - I guess you'd have to check with your states laws on the subject). Anyway, just a side note from a homeschool graduate!

Chelsea Gwynne said...

Hi! i just found your blog through Southern Bride!
I just started my masters in teaching here in Boston and I have so many questions/worries about the future!

I look forward to reading more posts from you about teaching - i appreciate your honesty about it!

All the best!

Emily said...

Britt, I hire you now if you were serious about homeschooling someone else's kids!! I want my kids the heck out of the public schools and although we're accepted at a private school- we have to qualify for a scholarship in order to afford it and still eat!! We'd hire you in a New York minute, but if you make my kids wear orange and blue- I'd freak out! However, my kids bleed garnet and gold and would give you a hard time about your team color choices- which would be very entertaining to see! Love from the Vargas Clan!