The story begins

I came upon this idea, the chronicles of a student teacher in California kind of on a whim. It makes for good self-reflection, but also provides a little insight. Perhaps its true purpose will unfold in time, and maybe it's simply futile.

Today is Friday, December 11, 2009. I am one week away from the end of one chapter-the life of Ana "the secretary". This brings reflection in so many ways. For the past five years, I have worked in an office at a high school in Chula Vista, California. During this time, I have also been a full-time student working on my BA (Sociology/SDSU) and then continuing into a CA Teaching Credential in English. My goal has been to be on the other side of those office walls, where the real work is done. Throughout my time as the office secretary, I have come across many different students who sought guidance, opinion, and even just the camaraderie of a fellow sports fan (go Bolts) to rehash the previous night's game. Today, two of these former students just happened to stop by to say hi and it brought me to this moment in time, where change will be made-at least one can hope, right?

Sean came in today. Two years into his college career on a football scholarship to Florida A&M, he made it a point to return to his Alma Mater and not leave campus until I came back from my lunch. I know because he made sure to make that a point of our conversation. He updated me on his family and his own life where college majors were decided and future plans began to be mapped out. He's getting all A's and B's. Good. He deserves it. He's one of the most disciplined and respectful young men that have walked the school grounds. He deserves all the success that comes to him. The other alumni was Chris. Both students were class of 2008. He comes up to me and says HI, do you remember me? The face? Yes. The name? not so much. Chris, he says. Remember that one time I was in here in trouble?... and so goes the story. I always made it a point to let them know they could stay at the table next to my desk if they were in trouble on the condition that it would be the only time they would sit there for that purpose. Usually it works. Usually. Chris is now at SDSU working on a Social Science teaching credential. Good stuff. Someone here made a difference..

Today's visits made me go through my mental Rolodex of the students who I have seen graduate and go away to college, some with my very persistent coaching. Fear manifests from the unknown. This I have experienced first-hand as I have faced my own fears of transitioning from an administrative assistant to an educator. Many days, I wanted to quit, to just let it all go and say forget it, just do what you know. But, the voice within always made me take another step on the proverbial ladder of career growth and move forward. If this is what you contemplate as you debate your major, career change or even to tap into that curiosity to see how exactly it is that someone works-for a whole semester-FOR FREE, then this is for you. Follow me as I go through this phase and experience. If it simply to be a voyeur into the mind of someone with zero teaching experience and 100% passion to make a change, even if it is only my own life that changes, follow me.

Who knows? This could just be the stories of the insanities of life with teens, 35 at a time in two-hour blocks. What could be more entertaining than that? I can't wait.