Learning to Study

It's an art-form to be able to tune the craziness of children out of my mind, and study. I'm not really a night-owl, so, I would prefer to study in the late morning time. Of course, that is about when my children start to bicker.

So, I'm working on the art of studying. It isn't as easy as it was to concentrate in the environment I used to work in Corporate America. I could pack up and move to someplace different. I can't do that at home. The distractions typically follow me!

It will get better. The information I'm studying right now - differentiated instruction - is fascinating. How can teachers better change their tactics to get different types of learners more opportunity to understand the content. I'll have to read it another couple of times between now and Saturday's quiz. I'm hoping I can get a couple hours in tomorrow morning.

Any suggestions towards tricks for making the time easier, I would appreciate. I'm still blessed that I get this opportunity. And I'm hoping other people can provide some options.

13 1/2 hours until class starts

It's amazing how fast everything came together. At the end of April, going through a Transition-to-Teaching Program was just a dream, and now, a mere 6 weeks later, it's reality. It makes me realize that God truly does lead us down the path of life.

I also realize how absolutely blessed I am to have a supportive family. This weekend has so much on the calendar, and adding the first day of school into it, just makes it crazy. My mom-in-law, Suzi, is going to take my daughter to her dance/tumbling dress rehearsal tomorrow morning because class starts at 9am. My husband will be taking my son, and my parents (in for the recital on Sunday) to his baseball game, and then both kids to a birthday party. Everyone is pitching in to help so I can follow my dream. If that isn't support I don't know what is.

Another part of preparation is all the tools that go along with starting school, and all the things needed for the dress rehearsal, dinner Saturday night, and the birthday party. I know if I ask for help, I'll receive it. But because everyone is supporting me, I want to support them with a great dinner. It seems like a fair trade.

So I sit with 13 1/2 hours until I start classes. Nerves are working to fly those butterflies in formation, and my dream is starting to become a reality.

I'm so blessed.

Relaxed and Ready to Go

I had no idea how stressed I was in my day to day life prior to leaving Corporate America. Even my children have noticed I am a bit happier, and a lot more "forgiving" towards the bickering that is normal in children.

So why am I more relaxed? I think it is because I know I have control over my day. If I don't get the laundry done today, there is always tomorrow. I'm not as frustrated by evening traffic. When there is traffic on my way I think to myself, "Oh well!" I'm not rushing from work to school to home to do what feels like 10 million things to turn around and leave again. I can prep dinner prior to leaving and get the kids to where they need to go.

I'm smiling easier too.

How do I know? This morning I went on to the Praxis site and discovered I'd passed (with flying colors) my level 1 exam, and I couldn't contain the joy. It wasn't dampered by things that are "necessity" or "urgent". Because now it is a matter of time. Will I start in June, or will I start in September? It doesn't matter. Because as of tomorrow, my kids are out of school, and I get to play with them all summer long.

For once in the past decade, I am TRULY relaxed and ready to go!

The Last Day in Corporate America

The last day went too fast. I had several projects to try to finish. The goal was to get them "hand-off" ready; in reality, the true meaning was to do as much as possible so my co-workers would not curse the ground I walk on when they took over the work.

I also talked to a lot of people who I hadn't talked to in a long time. Leaving is bittersweet. I had a fabulous time with all the people I spent the "quality" time helping. I can't think of many business partners (nice corporate-America speak) that I really will miss. I'll miss their problems, but it's different for the people.

I'm still waiting on my PRAXIS scores. I know I nailed reading and math (Indiana requires a 176 reading and 175 in math - I passed those easily). The writing score will be published to my online account 2-3 weeks after the test date. So possibly next Friday (May 21) I'll know (I'm an optimist) the outcome - definitely by Memorial Day.

So good-bye old job, old Jen. Hello to all the new experiences that are coming my way. I look forward to facing you!

My New Blog

Welcome! I'm a new blogger to an external world, who has recently left a job in corporate America to go back and do a "Transition to Teaching" position. This is new to me, but I hope to bring thoughts and humor on how I'm doing with leaving a full time job to go back into the world as a student (while being a mom, losing weight, and a honey-do list of magnificent proportions!).