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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Every Journey Starts with a Single Step


I am so thankful for Ruth Ayres, who extends an invitation to share the celebrations from our week.  Here's what I am celebrating today!

Last September I took a big step in my journey as a teacher. I began working on my Master's degree. I am ready for a different turn in my journey, and I knew this path was the one I needed to take.  

Looking back at that first assignment, I remember the tears and the doubt and the fear, and I honestly didn't know if I could do it.  With the empty nest on the horizon, I knew it wasn't a matter of running kids here and there and being present in their lives. I had the time. Teaching full time is a challenge, but now that I had taught 6th grade for three years, I felt comfortable with my curriculum.  The workload wasn't the problem.

My biggest fear stemmed from own self-doubt.  Could I really do this at my age?  At the age of 54, many teachers are thinking about retirement, and I am thinking about stepping out into a bigger circle in the education world.

Today, I celebrate learning, as my first semester officially ends this week. Yes, I did it!

When I chose step as my one little word this year, the decision to go to grad school was a big part of it.  Now I am ready to swing my arms back and jump to the next rock.

And I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.


8 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Leigh Anne. That is so wonderful. You must feel elated to have finished that first step. Hope you'll have a big celebration for this, and I imagine that you also loved all the new learning. Hurrah!

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  2. Yeah, you moved past the first leg of your journey, Leigh Anne. I applaud you.

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  3. Swing those arms, Leigh Anne and Go. For. It. You are an inspiration!

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  4. Congrats, Leigh Anne. Keep stepping away!

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  5. Congratulations, Leigh Anne! What a great accomplishment. I love that you are still learning. It will benefit YOU and your students! I worked on my masters when I first started teaching, well before I had kids. Although I am thankful that I did this early in my career, there is something to be said for deep learning when you have been teaching for a while!

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  6. Leigh Anne, I was led here because the title of your post was clipped to "Every journey starts with a sin." It made me chuckle! Love these words from your post: "Now I am ready to swing my arms back and jump to the next rock." Kudos to you!

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  7. Good luck! You are never too old to learn and to advance.

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  8. One class at a time is the stepping stone to new adventures! Congrats on beginning this journey!

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