I was thinking about starting a new topic on "teaching" --- it's a good thing I read the posts here first.

Like Lynn, I'm seriously thinking about becoming a certified teacher. I may have to go back to school first, but what the heck, I'm only 52.

From age 22 to 37, I worked for the Dept of Defense as an engineering psychologist. I designed and conducted experiments to learn the best ways to design small hand-held computer equipment for combat. I did my master's thesis on text-editing performance on small screen displays --- was I ahead of my time or what? At age 37, with a baby and a toddler at home, I resigned from my federal career to be a full-time homemaker. It was the best decision that I've ever made -- next to marrying my wonderful husband.

But, now, it's past time for me to do something that I can feel passionate about just for me and, even more importantly, intellectually stimulated.

Recently, I discovered that our local public school system has an Outdoor Science Education Program. For the last 9 years, I've been a volunteer trail guide to school children at our local nature center. While I've been home with my girls, I've served as a guest judge at our local school's Science Fair and I've developed and conducted outdoor "workshops" on fireflys, ladybugs, and hummingbirds in our neighborhood's summer camp. I've also taught kids how to knit. Gee, I think that I like to teach.

Now, I've got to get past my fear of failure or "not being good enough" and find out what I have to do to qualify to be a teacher in the Outdoor Science Education program. I've checked out the school system's website and know where to start, but I haven't taken any steps yet. Somebody kick me and get me started on this idea. What's the worst that could happen --- I might find out that I love outdoor education --- I already know that I don't want to be stuck inside a classroom -- I might find out that I've finally discovered what I want to be when I grow up --- and I might actually get paid while I'm doing it!!

Misfire - it seems that you possess the necessary basic requirement -- the desire to teach. If you have the desire then the rest will fall into place. Do not focus on "not being good enough."

Focus on the new world you will be introducing those children to. Focus on the possibility that one of those children may become a scientist because of something you said or introduced them to.

Think of what the outcome could be if you do not do this.

You will never know if being an outdoor educator would have been fulfillng. You will never know if you would have made a difference in a child's life.

Misfire
Member
Member # 259

posted July 27, 2005 12:39 PM
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I was thinking about starting a new topic on "teaching" --- it's a good thing I read the posts here first.

Like Lynn, I'm seriously thinking about becoming a certified teacher. I may have to go back to school first, but what the heck, I'm only 52.

From age 22 to 37, I worked for the Dept of Defense as an engineering psychologist. I designed and conducted experiments to learn the best ways to design small hand-held computer equipment for combat. I did my master's thesis on text-editing performance on small screen displays --- was I ahead of my time or what? At age 37, with a baby and a toddler at home, I resigned from my federal career to be a full-time homemaker. It was the best decision that I've ever made -- next to marrying my wonderful husband.

But, now, it's past time for me to do something that I can feel passionate about just for me and, even more importantly, intellectually stimulated.

Recently, I discovered that our local public school system has an Outdoor Science Education Program. For the last 9 years, I've been a volunteer trail guide to school children at our local nature center. While I've been home with my girls, I've served as a guest judge at our local school's Science Fair and I've developed and conducted outdoor "workshops" on fireflys, ladybugs, and hummingbirds in our neighborhood's summer camp. I've also taught kids how to knit. Gee, I think that I like to teach.

Now, I've got to get past my fear of failure or "not being good enough" and find out what I have to do to qualify to be a teacher in the Outdoor Science Education program. I've checked out the school system's website and know where to start, but I haven't taken any steps yet. Somebody kick me and get me started on this idea. What's the worst that could happen --- I might find out that I love outdoor education --- I already know that I don't want to be stuck inside a classroom -- I might find out that I've finally discovered what I want to be when I grow up --- and I might actually get paid while I'm doing it!!

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Gülpercim, güzelim meslelini birakip ates
böcekleri ile ugrasiyor, 52 yasinda okula gidecek bu tur seyler yalnizca amerikada olur!
Entresan buldum. öptüm seni,ayten

Smiles---why on God's green earth would you hang up your hat? You are meant for this! Splain Lucy...I don't think we can let you do this...I mean it. I have spoken...Capish?

Now Maryann, Misfire, and Thisle. Oh to be in your shoes. I admire all three of you so much. I would sell my front row seat in Hell to be in attendance in ANY of your classes. I mean that!

Thistle, I know you, and I know speaking and teaching is a natural thing for you. You've already taught me so much.

MaryAnne, I think the kids in your classes will surprise you in that they will grasp your "adult" teaching level just as quickly as the college levels. Kids are so smart nowadays! But don't be surprised if you learn from them as well. I think they will be just as scared, don't you think? Creative writing and English courses can be so overwhelming to people. I can remember them making me feel "inadequate." I just know you will have the exact mix you need to help the students. Let us know how it goes, won't you?

And Misfire...girl. You have so much on the ball! Good lord. I was reading your post and saw several businesses that could develop out of your skills. You have it going on. I ain't lyin...you know I would rather walk on my lips than lie. Right? You are smart, already KNOW the material you would be offering, and have experience. You are WAYYYYY ahead of the game than most people because you already KNOW what your passion is, and you've already laid out your fears, and identified them. Now...don't you feel better having done so? Girl...you are a tiger. I want to be you...if I had THAT much going on, the rest of the world better look out, cause I'd be a steamroller.

You women are what its all about. Smiles, Thistle, Misfire, and MaryAnne. Doing what you love. Finding your passion and living it.

You can't see it, but da Queen here is bowing. If I had your home addresses, I'd be sending you all a tiara. Now...look in the mirror and see what I see. Winners. Go-getters.

Roar

JJ

Can you believe it? I second EVERYTHING the queen said.

Thanks Jawjaw.

WOW!
Why is it that others almost always see us better than we see ourselves? What's up with that?
You gave me just the kick I needed!

I'm making my first phone call today to find out what I've got to do to get started in my new career -- no impersonal email for me.

P.S. Since I can't see it myself, help me out here -- based on my posting -- what other career paths do you see for me?

Misfire, Have you read "The Purpose Driven Life?" It has some guidance about finding your purpose, that seem applicable to finding your career.
The most logical career guidance I've heard is to list your desires, your experience, and your abilities on a piece of paper then use that to find a career that combines all you have to offer.
At midlife, the experiences and abilities may be a longer list, but if it does not match up with your desires, maybe it's time to change careers even if it takes retraining.

Just a thought.
smile

Thanks JJ! Although the most important thing I've taught you is...do NOT attempt to farm! You strike me as the type who finds manure on your dress shoes offensive...am I right? I cannot tell you how many times I've driven up the driveway /usually from church/ and have seen an animal needing help. I RUN to the pasture in my dress clothes and shoes, fix the problem and then spend the rest of the day cleaning "stuff" off my clothes, my shoes and my body. Ya gotta love farming 'cause if you don't...it's just work.

Misfire...your quote "we cannot control the wave, but we can learn how to swim" reminds me...on vacation we went Pacific Ocean fishing for sea bass. We were never out of sight of land because the waves were *dreadful*! It was okay while we were moving but as soon as we tried to hold a place at sea...the motion of the ocean was a bit too much. I came seriously close to getting sick but didn't want to lose time from catching fish. The captain asked how I was doing, I told him fine. He asked if I had ever been on the ocean before and I told him yes, several times. I went on to explain I couldn't swim and didn't like to wear life vests. He asked me why. I told him if the boat went down, I didn't want to spend a lot of time bobbing up and down, gasping for air. I just wanted to sink quickly and, relatively, quietly.

He was not amused.

Thistle...if I found manure offensive, I could never visit my sister who lives on a farm. Trust me, I know manure. Wait. That didn't come out right. Hm... Let me get back to ya on that one.

Misfire - why not take that program you've already developed, "Outdoor Science Education" and sell it as a seasonal program to the entire school system in your area? Don't reinvent the wheel. Put it on a video even! THEN...once it is rocking and a rolling, sell it to the outlying states! We have a Congressman who is soooo PRO children and practically every idea sent his way he endorses.

If you really enjoy teaching that much, I think you would be great at developing programs ON TAPES, VIDEOS, etc., to teach children different things. WHY NOT get other women involved and have a series of tapes for school-age children that you could sell to the school systems? THISTLE could do one on HOW SHEEP ARE SHEARED, for instance. SMILES would be great at developing one on HOW PUPPETS ARE MADE, and so forth and so on.

You are so talented that my guess is if you sat down and made a list, you'd have to start narrowing the list down prompto cause there would be so many ideas!

JJ

Oh my gosh, I just noticed the part about me teaching how to make puppets. There is not enough money in the world to pay me to make those things. I only do it for love and I never know how I did it. I've made six or seven now and the last one (Bugsy Bookworm-named by Chatte) just about ended my puppet career.

Maybe I could teach something easier, like advanced geophysical mathmatics or something.
smile