Now How?

Now how?

When I decided I was going to teach I searched many avenues. As an adjunct instructor, I get no tuition reimbursement so I have to pay for school on our already tight budget.  With 3 kids and already below the federal poverty level even with my income (face it my husband’s and my combined income wasn’t high; even compared to a teacher) how could I finance college?  Not to mention, I was going to not be working???  So…I figured I would submit my transcripts to ODE to obtain an alternative educator’s license.  This way I could work, if I found a job, and take classes toward my licensure.  Yes! This is ideal!  Except for one thing, I mean five things…2 superintendents, and 3 principals said, yeah, I don’t think that’s a good plan ‘cause if an actual licensed person comes along…bye!  L

This led me to hit the Internet. Where could I find money?  Who has online education courses? And bloop. There was a post on Facebook, a link with John Legend talking about education.  Well, I graduated high school with John and felt compelled to visit www.teach.org. While on the site I traveled to Ohio State University’s website, read about Project Aspire and another program, The Woodrow Wilson Teaching fellowship (WWF).  Both programs will give you funding and a scholarship to go back to school, get a master’s degree and teach.  Great!  I won’t have to worry about how to feed my family while I go to school. So I turn in my application for WWF, get selected for an interview, and the answer when I’m asked why teach?  Well, OBVIOUSLY, I’m supposed to!  It’s been laid out for me. I just need to give up everything and go for it! Well, that’s not what I said out loud but you get the picture. 

Now, to know that Ohio State isn’t offering this program 2011-2012, so I guess I’ll apply at UC.  (Great outcome! Great Cohort!) That’s not so far, right? So…I have a scholarship, and I’m going back.  I had to go so far as to buy a new car to get to UC, the 188 miles a day I decided was best suited for a Prius. I bought a car, I drove everyday to Cincinnati, I completed my coursework, planned lessons, worked in a “challenging” urban environment.  I stayed up late, got home late, juggled school and home life, traveled, traveled, traveled. I worked on project-based learning, built relationships, and learned some politics. I even studied for standardized tests. Now, I’m ready to teach.

But Where?