July 24, 2012

My Teacher Story







As far back as I can remember, I had a desire to be a teacher. As a matter of fact, when I was in second grade, I wrote a book to my family for a Christmas gift (I shared this in a previous post).



I had some amazing teachers while I was in grade school. I also had some pretty crappy ones. I remember being laughed at when I tried out for a part in a play. They didn't know I was still out in the hallway when they started laughing about how awful I was. It was pretty crushing for me and I never ever tried out for anything EVER again!! I think the crappy teachers were the ones that made my desire to become a teacher even stronger!


The journey to become a teacher though, was a long one. I was raised in a large family. We were very poor, but we had lots of love!




I always knew that if I wanted to go to college, I would have to pay for it. I'm not sure why I never applied for scholarships, probably because I of my fear of being rejected!!! So... after I graduated from high school, I quit my Tastee Freez job (which I absolutely loved) and found a job making $431 a month!! I was rich. I bought clothes, jewelry, shoes (oh my!!!), traveled, saved money, wasted money, etc. After about 8 years I was done. I hated my job and so I cashed in all my savings and thrift plan money and moved off to go to college at Central State University (which is now The University of Central Oklahoma).


 




Two years later I was broke. But I did have a a start to the education I needed to become a teacher!!!


Fast forward several years. I married the most wonderful man in the entire world. 




He started a new business shortly after we were married and money was tight nonexistent.   I worked for a few years, but I still had that burning desire to teach.  He could tell how unhappy I was and so he encouraged me to go after my dream. So, I did!  A few years later I graduated from Oklahoma State University.





I did my student teaching at the same school that I am currently teaching at. The first two years I only worked a 1/2 day. During those two years, I never really felt like it was MY classroom. Finally, I was hired full-time and that is when I realized my dream had come true.  I was a teacher!

And that my blogging friends is my teacher  story...and I'm sticking to it!

If you haven't already linked up to Janaye over at Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes for this linky party, click on her button to see how. I would love to hear your story too.

12 comments:

  1. Great story! I didn't feel like a real teacher until I got my first classroom, too. Thanks for sharing.
    ~Andi

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  2. That's a great story about how hard work pays off. The part about being laughed at when you tried out for the play is so sad. I had a terrible PE teacher once who could never remember my name and yanked on my pony tail when I didn't put my head back far enough to do a back bend. It can make you strive to be the opposite kind of teacher. I'm glad I got to read your story.
    Chrissy
    First Grade Found Me

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  3. Thanks for sharing your story with us! How sad about those teachers who laughed at you. It sounds like it made you a stronger & better teacher from it. I had a couple of lousy teachers along the way who made me feel worthless, but more than enough great ones to inspire me. It was great getting to know you better!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  4. Ya! A new blogger friend! :) Thank you so much for following me...of course I did the same. :) I'm sure I will be wishing for your white mixer when we move and hot pink no longer goes in our kitchen hahahha.

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  5. Yay! I just saw on Tammy's blog you are coming to OKC for the meetup! I just found your blog from there. Can't wait to meet you on Saturday!
    Kaci
    Mrs. Hoffer’s Spot

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  6. What a great story! Wow - a true testament to how much a calling teaching truly is. It's so sad, though, that there are teachers out there who affect us negatively. I was a chatty child (shocker if you know me!HAHA)and my 5th grade teacher told my best friend's MOM I was a "bad seed" . Can you imagine?? Anyway, years later, here I am loving and teaching. Thanks for sharing. I'm your newest follower, and a fellow first grade teacher! :)

    Kelly
    First Grade Fairytales

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  7. Awww, what a great story!! Thanks for sharing! :)

    Janaye
    Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes

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  8. I loved your story! We have a lot in common! Thank you for sharing.

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  9. I love your story! What a cool linky party.
    I also wanted to thank you for the sweet shout-out you gave me and two other bloggers at Lori's Bee The Change. I really appreciate it. Take care!

    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers

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  10. Great story...thanks for sharing!!! If you have time stop by my blog and join my "Classroom Tours Linky Party"! I would love to see your classroom!!

    Brigid

    Brigid's Daily Lesson Log

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  11. What a sweet story! I'm impressed that you kept all those pictures and keepsakes! I'm having a giveaway, and I'd love you to come on by!


    Kate
    Second Grade Sparkle

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  12. I love your story--and what a supportive husband! I grew up in a big family too--four girls and three boys! I loved it--it's hard to believe how my mom did it all--I can't even keep up on the laundry of three let alone seven!

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