Good evening everyone! Today’s been nothing out of the ordinary, but I am definitely feeling better! Phew! I have a busy weekend ahead of me and the last thing I want is to be feeling under the weather (more on my upcoming weekend plans tomorrow). For tonight, I want to discuss a question that came up from yesterday’s post. First food though 
Breakfast: To-Go cup of Kashi GoLean Crunch Honey Almond Flax and PB Puffins and a small cup of OJ to wash down my vitamin cocktail (calcium and women’s daily multi-vitamin!
Mid-Morning Snack: Dark Chocolate Coconut Kashi bar, a snack bag of mixed nuts, and Coffee Cocoa !
Lunch: Leftover brussel sprouts, mac ‘n cheese, and my 1/2 sweet potato went into the grilled wrap you’ve been seeing a lot of lately (Flat Out, goat cheese, sweet potato, hot banana peppers).
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Yummy Vanilla Chobani yogurt with pineapple, blackberries, Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola, and cinnamon.
Dinner: I wasn’t feeling very hungry even up until 9 PM so I went for the only thing I felt like eating: a PB/AB Banana Walnut Sandwich, like the other night. I put more pineapple on the side (lots of it to finish before it spoils!)
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Moving on the last night’s question:
Lindsey from Mrs. LC asked me last night in a comment what I meant by what I wrote last night about me being cut out for teaching, but not sure if it’s cut out for me. I realize more of you were probably confused by that, so I wanted to explain where I am right now in the great scheme of finding my “perfect” career. Okay, it’s kind of complicated, but here we go..
When I first changed my major to Elementary Education, I wanted to teach. I wanted to have my own classroom and I knew I could do it until I retired. Now, if you’ve read my SoP page, you know that I have a huge interest in technology in education. On that page I mention two courses I’ve taken that have really piqued my curiosity about this specific area, enough for me to apply to two graduate programs that are specifically geared towards Educational Technology. So, at this point I have two options:
- Pursue my Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in technology. When I finish the program, I’ll be a teacher who is certified to teach her own classroom and there’s a possibility that classroom could be the computer lab because of my certification.
- Pursue my Master’s degree in Educational Technology (similar programs are titled Instructional Design) and fully dive into my interests in technology within education. When I finish the program, I will have a whole world of opportunities opened up to me, not only in education, but in business as well. I prefer to stick in the education realm of things and so I could become the following:
- Classroom Teacher
- Computer Instructor
- Media Specialist
- Course Designer
- Faculty Support and Development
I’m most interested in the Course Designer and Faculty Support and Development options listed above. I would love to share my passion for integrating technology in the classroom with other people. Overall though, I feel like the second option opens a lot more doors for me.
Getting back to Mrs. LC’s original question, I feel like I could teach if I had to (the I‘m cut out for it part). I know I’d be good at it, and I know I’d have the necessary passion to do it day-in and day-out. However, I feel like I’m meant for more (the not sure if it’s cut out for me part) and I’m meant to be challenged a lot more than I currently am. I’m not trying to say that teaching is beneath me…I’d be lucky to have a job where I’m shaping our future through education. I am saying that I really don’t want to settle for something that is easy for me, but at the same time I really love being in the education field. I think that educational technology, as cutting edge as it is, would provide that challenge for me and at the same time keep me in the field I love.
I hope I did a decent job at explaining all of that and clarifying my comment yesterday. If you have questions, please ask! It helps me to sit down and put all of this out there because this discussion is in my head all of the time!! It’s a decision I haven’t yet made and because of this, I’ve applied to both of the programs listed above so I can decide later.
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Today I was pretty sore in my legs from yesterday’s run. Other than the time right around and after my 5K, this is one of the few times I’ve actually been sore from running! It’s a good feeling, though…means I’m working hard! My training scheduled today was Stretch and Strengthen so I did an hour of Core Strengthening and Restorative Yoga. I’m very relaxed and sleepy now
My seminar got moved back to 9:45 AM tomorrow (YES!) so I’m going to sleep until 6 AM if I can (my body had me up a half hour before my alarm this morning at 5 AM). Regardless, I’ll get to relax in the morning for a little longer. Goodnight!
Also, make sure to check out all of the AWESOME contests that are going on in the blog world right now! So exciting!
- Missy Maintains is giving away a case of Pop Chips a day this week! (ends 2/6/09)
- HangryPants is giving away a container of WildTime Foods Creamy or Crunchy Almond Butter (ends 2/7/09)
- N Her Shoes is giving away a BPA-Free CamelBak water bottle (ends 2/4/09)
February 3, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Honestly…all I want is your cereal and granola. =P
February 3, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Oh, wow, thanks for sharing so much about yourself! I think your idea of challenging yourself in that field is great! Awesome!
And tasty eats, love your wrap! I seriously need to get a grill.
February 3, 2009 at 10:32 pm
That’s gotta be tough- knowing you’re qualified but feeling as though you won’t be fufilling your potential. You go after what you really want, girlfriend! And who knows where things will take you anyway
Ummm, to-die-for food!
February 3, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I completely understand now.
Thank you so much for sharing all of that.
In a way, I know exactly how you feel. How you describe teaching is exactly how I feel about so many potential career-interest areas. I know I could go into event planning full time, I know I could go back to school to become a R.D. and have a fulfilling career out of that. I just always had this feeling like there was something more. I don’t know if/ what you believe, but for me, I have a strong faith in God and believe that God recently brought two people back into my life for a reason – to show me that I’m not done with music and that I’m the only one who can limit myself. Does that make sense?
Anyway – something I’ve realized lately: when we’re in college/ in these early young adult years of our lives, I feel like we have such a tendency to try to figure out a lifelong career. But really? There’s no need. You could SO easily teach AND be involved in technology/ transition into a Course Designer or a career in Faculty Support and Development. I’m trying to think of my “career” as being more of an evolution as I change over time. I mean, why can’t I do both music and event planning?
Anyway – I hope that makes some sense! I can’t wait to see you Sunday, we should definitely talk more then.
February 3, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Love your thoughts on the future, and totally jealous that you are still in school and getting to figure out which of those fun courses to take! AND super jealous that you and Lindsey get to hang out and chat- love u guys
Have a great day glad you’re running and feeling better!
February 3, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I understand your change in career choice. I am graduating in May as a Journalist but I want to go to grad school for Public Health and eventually Nutrition. What Work! ha. Oh and P.S I am kinda addicted to banana peppers…in Subway I am nutso bc I ask for triple the amount they usually give lol.
February 3, 2009 at 11:33 pm
What is that pink gummy thing – the calcium?
Thanks for sharing about your teaching decisions. I know exactly where you’re coming from. I think if you have a true passion for something, you should go for it. It seems like you have done a lot of thinking about it and I’m sure it will all work out!
February 3, 2009 at 11:54 pm
p.s. My POLAR is already shipped! so maybe by thurs I can use it! Ill give u the site bc its free shipping and if you buy it before 3 pm it ships that day…plus its only 100 bucks and not 120.
February 4, 2009 at 6:27 am
Heather – You got it! The pink gummy thing is calcium. It’s like eating a creamy candy, I love them!
February 4, 2009 at 7:50 am
Your breakfast is heaven. Look at that combo!
best of luck with your masters options. Either way, you should definitely be safe. All I’ve heard/experienced is that WHAT your degree is in isn’t so important
February 4, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hm, I’m glad I know more about what you’re going through right now. Oi, we all seem to be in similar positions. We need to chat soon
MISS YOU!
February 4, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Thanks for the popchips shout out!! I also had the same question so I am glad you explained it in this post! Sounds like some great career options ahead of you. I too feel like I need to be much more challenged right now but am still debating exactly what I want to do with my life so it is hard! I am thinking about nutrition so we will see!
February 4, 2009 at 3:29 pm
wow your brusell sprouts look really really good! mine were dry when i roasted them
love your eats girl!
February 4, 2009 at 4:43 pm
thanks for sharing sweetie, very interesting stuff here!
February 4, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hey Ryan! Your post today is incredibly close to my situation. I don’t want to hog your comment page with an explanation, but lets just say that I went ahead and went to grad school knowing that I was “cut out for teaching, but not sure if it’s cut out for me”. I spent 6 years studying education and exploring different educational careers part-time along the way (political researcher, tutor, student teacher, behavior researchers, etc.). It wasn’t until 2 months before graduation that basically had a melt down and decided not to pursue a teaching career immediately. Now I’m stumped and am anxious to figure something out!
Good luck with the process and follow your heart.
Kaneil
February 4, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Your blog is great! I can’t wait to read more.
February 4, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I love PB puffins and your wrap looks awesome! Hang in there about deciding what to do with your career. When you know what’s right, you’ll make the best choice. It’s funny, last year (my 3rd year of teaching) I thought it wasn’t for me and this year I love it. Strange how we change our minds. Hope you have a great night!