Good morning and Happy Tuesday!

So, if you follow me on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/all of the above (wow, when did I become such a social media fiend), you’ve probably already seen that I am now employed. I was trying to hold off on telling people until the paperwork had gone through and the contract had been signed (knowing my luck, I would have told the entire world only to have the district call me up and say, “actually, we don’t want you anymore. Hahahaha, sucker!”)

A few days ago, I went over to the school where I will be starting this fall as an Education Specialist. I just walked around the campus in silence – staring inside the classrooms, analyzing each mural painted on the walls, reflecting back to my middle-school days. I was experiencing so many feelings and emotions. At that moment, I was hit with the realization that I am a teacher. I am a teacher. I didn’t have that feeling when I completed my signature assignment and presentation. It didn’t hit me after I walked out of University Hall for the very last time as a student. It didn’t hit me when I walked across the stage to accept my diploma (maybe I was concentrating too hard on not tripping over my gown). It didn’t even hit me when I got the confirmation e-mail saying my credential had been issued. But at that moment, walking around campus, imagining myself in a classroom with my own students, I felt it. That feeling where you know that you’ve done something huge. That feeling that you’ve accomplished something amazing.

This wasn’t just two years of additional schooling tacked on after getting my Bachelors. This was a struggle I’ve had for years. For people that know me, they probably remember me when I  was the “pre-med Divya.” Or the “going-to-take-the-GMAT-and-go-to-business-school Divya.” Not because I didn’t want to teach, but because I was trying to make other people happy (primarily my parents). I was trying to mold myself into a person that I thought they’d be proud of. There were countless arguments, numerous tears, and a continual lack of excitement and motivation to do well in school. I think I realized it when I was sitting in a Life Sciences discussion and some dude sitting next to me looked up at the TA, bright-eyed and excited to share his results with the class. I had no such feeling toward the lab we were doing. I had no passion for this class or the path that I was headed down. So a few weeks later, I decided to change my entire career plan – to something I knew I wanted from the very beginning….

I know I will never have a lavish lifestyle. I know that I won’t make loads of money in education. I know that and I’m okay with it. Because I won’t hate my life on Monday mornings. Because I know that I have a purpose each and every day. Because I’m in it for the outcome and not the income. I am so excited for this next chapter in my life. 🙂

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Emily from “Living and Learning” on Teaching