The Momma Bird

Growing up I always wanted my job to be in a field that was helping others. Typically I always wanted to be just like an adult I admired, so I wanted to be in the military like my Dad. Then I wanted to be a secretary like my Mom. After I started to become my own person I always said I’d either be a veterinarian or a teacher because I loved animals and kids.

As a teen I was always the “go-to” babysitter and when it was time for my first paycheck job, I started at a daycare at our local church. I worked with the preschool kids and loved it. When the summer rolled around I asked if I could start working with the elementary school kids instead, I got the position and then it felt like being a teacher was the only thing I was ever supposed to be.

Fast forward to college education courses and I got a little scared. I remember our professors preaching to us that being a teacher isn’t just about loving kids, it’s much more than that. It’s a passion. A desire. Something that you truly have to love or else you would fail at it. Talk about a wake-up call. For the first year I struggled, wondering if I was truly meant to teach. Looking back, I think it was the smartest thing they could have done for all of us. Many students left the education program after that year and pursued other careers; there were a handful of us left & we were in it for the long haul.

After those first few years in a classroom setting we were finally able to move on into the “good” stuff, learning how to teach & practicing it in the classroom. I tell you what, having a good educational foundation from your professors is SO key! If it weren’t for their guidance and their support, I think many of us would have felt like failures during those beginning stages of working in a classroom. They were there to encourage us, give us different ideas to succeed and pushed us to think outside the box.

Then, after graduating from college and landing my first teaching job, I highly relied on the foundation of my education. I reverted back to my old notes and textbooks for ideas on how to help my students succeed, and I even emailed old professors seeking advice on this new journey I had started. If any of you are seriously considering a career in the education field, make sure you have a great program to guide you every step of the way. Teaching isn’t just reading out of a book, it’s molding minds of young people for the future. That is a big plate to fill, but if your heart is in it, the rest will follow.

Whether you’re seeking further success in your current role or a new opportunity, Kaplan University can help you prepare for the exciting possibilities ahead.*

As an accredited university built on 75 years of experience,† Kaplan University offers a wide range of career-focused programs designed to develop the skills and knowledge leading employers seek. Our mission: to offer you the most direct educational path to achieve your goals.
Are you ready for a change? Learn more at kaplanuniversity.edu

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