When I taught English 024 back in the day, this was the second paper students wrote for the class. They were to share about the road that brought them to school and what their hopes and dreams were for their academic progress. It is fitting to be essentially writing this same paper for my own journey. I decided to go back to school a little over a year ago. While I truly enjoy the role I have at Ivy Tech Community College, I felt if there were to be an opportunity for higher leadership position I needed to be at least working on my doctorate. Plus, I felt I was ready for the personal challenge this would bring. I stewed over the GRE and the math portion specifically. I am not too proud to admit a large part of my decision on where to earn my master’s degree was based on programs where I didn’t have to take this test. At the time, I was teaching middle school and didn’t foresee a need to pursue a doctorate. But as life changes so do our goals!
While
I work with students daily about managing time and prioritizing, I found myself
procrastinating on preparing for the test.
But ultimately, I made it through and registered for classes. I took two in my first semester and three in
my second. I wanted to complete my
residency requirement of 15 credit hours consecutively as soon as
possible. This summer I took two
courses. I am excited for my committee
meeting to finalize my academic plan next month. That is a milestone on the journey that will
feel great to reach. Knowing my path, or
as much of it plotted as possible at that time, will keep me focused.
Being
a student has served as a good reminder of what I, as faculty, am asking my students
to do and a reminder that I, too, can push myself. I feel a different connection with my
students as we commiserate with each other on homework and deadlines. When my
students worked on prioritizing to do lists and using tools to manage their
workload, I shared that I had made a master calendar with all the due dates for
the two classes I was taking and the 5 classes I was teaching this summer.
Furthering
my education is an opportunity and I have once again reconnected with my love
of learning. Having busy lives, it is
easy for people to begin to just go through the motions at work and perhaps
even at home. Many teachers begin teaching because they themselves enjoy
learning. Even just being in a room of
people committed to their own education is moving.
Faculty
are in classrooms all the time, so it is hard to say they lose touch with the
classroom setting, but returning to school brings an additional reminder of the
issues students face from a personal perspective. While I may not be dealing with some of the
same struggles as those sitting in my first- year seminar course, I am still
attempting to keep a work, school, and life balance. Earning a degree is a personal accomplishment
and the result of hard work and dedication.
I look forward to what is to come!
