OT: Back to School

[TrekBoy85]

I don't often post a lot of personal details (I'm a pretty quiet lurker), but I've come to enjoy reading about other people's lives (at least what they care to share) here on the boards...so, I think I'll share a little.

For the past 3 years I've worked for a smaller airline (various roles in Reservations & in the training department). In January I'm going to go back to school. I would like to become a science teacher.



There were a great number of factors that lead me to this decision, but a major factor has been my new fascination with all things Disney.

A few weeks ago, someone (I'm sorry, I don't remember where or who), posted a link (I think it might have been on twitter) to 7 Life Changing Lessons Learned from Walt Disney.

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2010/04/7-life-changing-lessons-from-walt.html

The ones that stood out to me were:

1. Do What You Love.
2. Action Always Trumps Inaction.

I've talked about doing this for the last couple of years. I love science, I love learning, and I love teaching. For the most part it really has been just talk. I saw this article and was really moved. Walt Disney made his dreams a reality, I can do it to.

A friend of mine has been teaching for several years, and I decided to contact her; I wanted to find out what her experience has been like so far. To my surprise, she invited me to come observe her science class for a day. I was nervous. I was very nervous, because by going to her classroom to observe, I felt that I was making my first real step...the first real action down this new path. I went and made a commitment to myself.

I still have a long way to go, I just contacted a local university to get the ball rolling, but I am incredibly excited.


Thanks for reading, DISboards friend.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

What a huge and awesome step you've taken, very inspirational - I wish you all the best as you go down this path. Good Luck!!

 

[TrekBoy85]

What a huge and awesome step you've taken, very inspirational - I wish you all the best as you go down this path. Good Luck!!

Thanks!

 

[Willow1213]

From someone who's husband dreams of being a math teacher, I applaud your courage. I do offer one piece of advice, however. Make sure your local schools are hiring before you make the leap. In our area 6 districts have laid off thousands of teachers and jobs are impossible to find. Everyone in our county with less than 2 yrs tenure was laid off. Jobs are scarce, even for the best teachers.

Hopefully, you live in an area that will appreciate your talents and have a position for you when you are done with your schooling.

 

[safetymom]

Congratulations!!!

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Congrats.

I think a lot of the same ideas and thoughts helped me, especially when picking what university degree to take (and understanding parents) as the only other things (other than Disney) that I truely love and have a passion for are computers and video games, so now, I'm loving a degree in Computer Games Programming! One day I'll be making them rather than just playing them!

Also, when it comes to teachers, its always better to learn from someone who actually did have a passion for their subject, as I think they were better at teaching it. A lot of my teachers when I did my A Levels and GCSE's I think were bored of teaching the same stuff, but there were a few who did love what they did, and it made it sooo much better.

Anyway, Congrats!

 

[Gav N Becx]

Wow!
Hope this works out for you, keep us posted.

 

[simonkodousek]

Congratulations! I totally agree about following your dreams and doing what you love, and I personally believe that you will be infinately more successful doing something you WANT to do rather than something you HAVE to do.

Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[disneyholic family]

i think what you're doing is GREAT!!!
if for no other reason than to not have to look back when you're old and ask youself 'if only'....

 

[bear_mom]

Good for you!

I graduated college with an engineering degree and worked for about 5 years, then I quit and went back to school and got my nursing degree. Dh says I'm much happier now.

Change can be a good thing.

Emily

 

[Sphyrna]

Good luck with it! Doing something you love is definitely important. Kudos to you for taking the first steps!!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Brent,

You will find one of the discussions on this week's email show interesting.

Find something you are passionate about and it doesnt seem like work!

Good luck!

 

[PolynesianLily]

Congratulations and Good Luck!!!

You should never let anything get in the way of your dreams. Find something that makes you happy and you will never regret making that decision.


Keep us updated!

 

[adsrtw]

Congratulations on returning to school. I returned after a 15+ year hiatus and love it.

 

[dixiegirl]

Congrats!!! I too have just made this decision to return to school and follow my passion. I have worked as an accountant for the past 16 years and do not enjoy it at all. Yes, it pays the bills but that's about it for me. I just began the long road to getting my BA in Anthropology (my true passion). I wish you all the luck in your new venture! Don't let anyone talk you out of it - follow your dream!

 

[TrekBoy85]

Wow! You all are wonderful! Thanks for all the great replies! To everyone who has made or is making a similar decision, best of luck. While I understand the need to survive and pay bills, etc, I think I would rather be poor and do what I love than rich and unhappy.

 

[TrekBoy85]

Hi Brent,

You will find one of the discussions on this week's email show interesting.

Find something you are passionate about and it doesnt seem like work!

Good luck!

Thanks, Kevin. Can't Wait!

 

[PolynesianLily]

Wow! You all are wonderful! Thanks for all the great replies! To everyone who has made or is making a similar decision, best of luck. While I understand the need to survive and pay bills, etc, I think I would rather be poor and do what I love than rich and unhappy.

That is a great point.
I almost let money get in the way of me making a choice between achieving my dream or not. Being rich is great i'm sure, but it's nothing if you are unhappy.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Good for you for deciding to make a change a follow what you love to do! I'm a special ed teacher, and my husband runs a non-profit social service agency. We are prime examples of doing what we love, and not working for the $!!!

Good Luck!!!

 

[richard_andmel]

Congratulations. It's pretty scary to make such a big change. But as someone who took a giant risk 10+ years ago that was the best decision of my life, it's totally worth it!

Mel