History department, that is. Another semester has begun. Two more history classes: one (American History II) for which I am the SI and one (Early European Modernity) I am taking for credit.
First, let me say that "SI" stands for supplemental instructor. Did you know that now janitors are often called "sanitation engineers"? And also that TA's are now sometimes called "supplemental instructors"? Just as the janitor does not have an engineering degree, neither do I have a teaching license. I'm ridiculously enthusiastic about the job. But that's what you get when you ask a 32-year-old stay-at-home mom nerd to be the TA. I don't think the professor could have come up with a more iron-clad way to make sure his students do not attend the sections.
So here it is: I want to be a teacher. I want to teach history with a little economics thrown in. I would like a Master's of Education and a secondary social studies title and a full-time job and a nanny to work part-time in the evenings while I get a master's degree in American history and write a doctoral thesis about the last wild Apache. (dissertation topic subject to change). Is that so much for a girl to ask?
I would also like to age gracefully, wear glasses like Diane Keaton, have students speak highly of my lectures, ride my bike to school, publish some articles, and have a tiny little office filled with piles and piles and piles of books. And a fern.
Choose less. Live more. With the exception of the glasses and the fern, these goals have very little to do with acquiring stuff, and everything to do with building a life. (And will not interfere with my making jams and jellies). Our move to the Cabin opened a world where these goals seem so possible. Do you live in such a way or such a place that you believe your dreams will come true?
ERB
3 comments:
Woman, you rock on with your goals. I am so incredibly in awe of you. You're living it! Way to go after it! Please let me read your Apache Thesis when you are published but before you are famous.
And also, I bought fish sticks today because of you. Thank you for changing my life.
Good for you for going for it. There's no doubt you can do it. And it gives me inspiration to that I can. I'm trying to inch my way back to school also. My older 2 kids I believe are the same age as yours 8 &6, 3rd grade and kinder? But my 3 year needs me a little longer before I can take on the books in a manner that I truly focus on. No worries. You will be a fabulous TA/SI, or whatever you want to call it. How very exciting!
This I think is tremendously exciting, and speaks volumes about the life you have chosen! Plus you get to add that little SI title to yourself, very cool!
Post a Comment