From here...

Gosh I cannot believe that we are almost done with the semester. I feel like it was just yesterday I was getting ready to start my first class and feeling a little bit nervous. Well I know our last blog is supposed to focus on if we feel more prepared to be a teacher, our goals for next semester, and how we are going to get there. I am actually taking a semester off. Originally I was going to completely quit the program, but instead I asked for a semester of leave. I can still answer the questions though. Are you feeling more prepared to be a teacher? To be honest no I’m not, I have been thinking of quitting the program pretty much since I started in August. At first I thought it was just because I was having trouble getting used to being in school again. As the weeks went on though I was becoming more and more unsure about my Masters. One hesitation was the fact that after completing the program I would be committed to teaching for 3 years in SC (because of a loan I got). This was looming over me like a dark cloud, I felt like one of those cartoon characters who have a stormy cloud following just them. Another hesitation developed because of my dislike for my previous job with the daycare. I loved seeing the kids, but I didn’t like the day to day structure. Everything was just too structured for me. I didn’t like the consistency of every day; I never looked forward to the next day of work. I was often already dreading the next day even before my work day was done. Finally, my hesitation to becoming a teacher was reinforced when I did my observations. Once again I loved seeing the kids, but I didn’t like the structure of they day. What goals do you have for yourself for next semester? How will you get there? Next semester I am going to take time to look into other masters programs and decide on one to do. I still want to work with kids, but I want to be able to focus on smaller numbers. A classroom has too many kids in it for me. My undergrad degree is in Psychology so I would definitely be interested in doing something with that. If any of you have any suggestions on people to talk too or schools to look at I would love the help! I definitely did not expect to be sitting where I am right now here 5 months later after I started this Masters program. I am a little nervous, but extremely excited to see what I find to do with my future, or at least with the next couple of years.