To Thine Own Self Be True

Wow! The end of another school year is upon us. To me, it feels like so much has happened while at the same time nothing has changed.

I have had another fulfilling year of substitute teaching. Not just for one school district, but for two. As such, I was given numerous opportunities to work on and build my classroom management techniques and strategies, learned a lot about numerous academic subjects, and had the privilege of working with and teaching diverse groups of students. I just hope that one day, when I have the honor of having my own classroom, that my students will be as amazing and full of wonder as the students I have been exposed to for the past year.

In addition to being a substitute teacher, I have continued to work on a Master's degree in secondary education. As of right now, I have officially completed over one half of my graduate program. I am still amazed at the fact that I was able to find the strength and courage to go back to school after so many years!

This may sound weird, but sometimes I look in the mirror and almost don't recognize the person staring back at me. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing by any means! It's just that, by looking back on my life and all the obstacles (both those imposed by myself and those imposed by others)I've had to overcome, sometimes it's just hard to believe that I've made it this far. What happened to the uncertain, clinically depressed, teenage girl from oh so many years ago?! I'll tell you what, she found out how good life can be! Once she started to believe in herself, doors began to open up and opportunities began to present themselves to her. I have become living proof that people can and do change and that we all have the power within ourselves to affect change in the world.

So, you're probably wondering what I meant when I said nothing has changed. Well, nothing has changed.

I am still me.

I still have the same hopes and dreams that I have always had. The only difference is now I believe that I have what it takes to achieve them, all of them. Ultimately, it is this belief that I hope to pass on to my students:

"To thine own self be true." If you believe in yourself, with a little bit of work, everything else will fall into place.