A pile of Papers

This pile of papers represents a big chunk of my post college life (minus the year that I sold panties at Nordstrom - Luckily there are no photos documenting that experience.) And sorting through these documents has left me wondering what happens next in this "post-post college" season of my life.

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher.

I still don't know exactly why I took civil engineering classes, organic chemistry, business law, computer programming, and ultimately majored in fashion merchandising. I suppose I took the "well-rounded" approach to heart.

I don't know if everything happens for a reason.

I think it does.

Getting back to that stack of paper... college transcripts, RICA, CBEST, and CSET scores, multiple subject credential certification.

And an application.

I am finally getting my butt in gear and applying to get certified to teach in Texas.

A little background info: 

When I got my credential in San Diego 3 years ago, it wrecked me. Student teaching was the worst experience of my life (even worse than that stint at Nordstrom, and I had to help rather large ladies into very teeny spanx, if that gives you some perspective.) Teaching was not at all what I expected it to be and so I continued to substitute teach.

A perfect non-commital solution.

I happily substitute taught for 3 years in San Diego and now 2 years in Texas.
5 years have gone by in a flash!

Mostly subbing has been ideal and convenient,
but recently there is this feeling that I am not really using that credential I worked so hard for. 

Worse than that,
I am not really using the gifts God gave me.

Next year is our last year in Texas. At least that is the plan for now, but we might come back someday. Who knows?!  I want to make our last year here count and I finally feel like I have recovered from that apocalyptic credential program (Seriously, do they even offer the accel block at SDSU anymore?)

Substitute teaching has been great, but I'm ready for real teaching now.

** Just to be clear, I do not have delusions of grandeur. Teaching full time is going to be quite the challenge, but I have this little mantra that goes something like "I can do anything for a year." And since a year is all I've got, I'm up for the challenge! **