Angela Yu
I am so happy to read that there is this opportunity for working mothers who may finally have the chance to fulfill their dreams. I am one of those mothers who has always wanted more but felt like I would jeopardize the foundation of my familys living condition if I settled for a part-time job instead to study to become someone I have always wanted to be.
I grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City and I have always liked school. I was probably even a teacher's pet at some point in time. Coming from a low-income family, I am amazed at how my parents were able to put me and my younger brother through after school programs and summer school. Im sure it cost less than to stay home and take care of us.
When I was old enough to get my working paper, I ended up as a Classroom Instructors Assistant at the same place I once was a student. I even ended up as a Classroom Instructor as I grew in age. I think my love for tutoring started when I was assigned as a Reading Buddy to a first grader. My love for teaching blossomed and I was blessed to have been able to work with kids in grades K-6. Sure, awarding stickers and writing on the chalkboard may have had some influence in wanting to become a teacher but there is so much more to it. My job was to make sure the children finished their homework and include lessons that corresponded to their class work. I took the extra steps and constructed creative recreational activities and prepared mini lessons to help assist my students in their troubled academic areas. I knew then I wanted to grow up and become a teacher.
I was a pretty smart kid throughout most of my school years, says my report card. And up until high school, I was on the straight path. Then one day, I lost someone I loved dearly to suicide and I started isolating myself from the world. I eventually started hanging out with friends I thought were cool and fun to be with and before I knew it, I started skipping classes just to spend time to do anything other than be at school. I even got caught by truancy one time. By my sophomore year in high school, my guidance counselor sat me down and told me that I have a high chance of repeating my grade. I had two choices I could either repeat the 11th grade or have a parent or guardian sign for my release as a high school student. I could not accept the fact that I would be left back to watch my friends go on to a higher learning because I felt I was just as smart as they were. Instead of righting myself and dealing with the consequences of my actions, I managed to trick my mother into signing the release form. I had also convinced myself that getting my High School Equivalency Diploma was the move to make. After that, I admit I was more concentrated on street life than studying behind the books.
Not long afterwards, I moved out to live on my own, I enrolled in night school to pursue my GED along with receiving college credits. That proved unsuccessful as hard as I tried staying attentive during a full nine hour daytime job, then going to classes in the evening before finally arriving at home no earlier than ten o'clock at night to study. I ultimately gained my GED in July 2001 after taking a couple months of refresher courses and GED preparation classes.
I am now 27 years young, married and living in Philadelphia, a mother to my precious eight months old bundle of joy, struggling with the monthly bills because like a lot of people, am living paycheck to paycheck. I am an administrative assistant who believes there is nothing wrong with being one but more importantly, I am a willing student eager to go back to school so that I can become the teacher I am meant to be. To achieve this would be a dream come true. One can not become a teacher through experience itself. Not only is that not fair for me but it would not be right for the kids. I am hoping to go into Early Childhood Education because I believe in the children. I want once again to enlighten, show and have my students engage in words, colors, manners and abilities they have yet to know they possess. I want to be a part in making their lives better greater. And only by getting my degree can I begin to grasp the certifications of this profession.
I fall into the category for those who believe an online education is right for me. Completing an online education proves better for me because I will not have to struggle with time management getting to my classes. I will have the ability to learn at my own pace, gain full accessibility to course materials anytime, anywhere. And unlike physically being in a classroom, the online course will be a less intimidating atmosphere, enabling me to not just listen but also learn. I will not dismiss a notion no matter how ridiculous it might seem. The benefits of an online education combined with my ambition will change my life by fulfilling what I always wanted to be a teacher. The reward in becoming one is priceless.