Redefining it

1st few months teaching: All I can say is that there were so many lessons learned, relearned, and a ton of struggles.

Lessons about teaching:

• Behavioral management

• Standards

• Organization

• Engage student learning

Personal Lessons:

• Have additional income

• Never take out pay day loans

• Take breaks

• Don't compare yourself to other teachers/ don't be a perfectionist about small details

• Have a strong connection with family and friends, have hobbies outside of your job, cultivate a life that is meaningful

Life Lessons:

• "Save the drama"

• "Trust in yourself"

• "Remember that you are making a difference even if it doesn't feel like it."

• "Everyone has opinions"

COVID and updates:

• Moved back in my parents- goal is to hopefully be out by the fall or the winter

• Applied for teaching positions and still waiting to hear back- got a few other plans for back up purposes (subbing, part time sales, potentially grad school)

• Worked at Dollar General, currently working at local restaurant/dive bar, hoping to get hired in a place with better tips, some point move back to a city, and continue to feel more like a 25 year old professional rather than a 16 year old version of myself

Slow movement moving forward:

• I toke the GRE in June but I will probably retake to have a more competitive score

• I've submitted some creative nonfiction writing pieces to submittable, trying to find a home for them

• I've also began to read more fiction- more book reviews to come

Takeaways I'm proud of:

• Becoming more consistent

• Continuing to look for opportunities and learning from setbacks

• Having a clear understanding of teaching, my role on this planet, and striving to become a better version of myself