I am hoping that this
letter finds you well. You are just now beginning your college career, and I am
writing to you to clue you in on a bit of advice that you will need for your
future days. Well kid, you always wanted to be a teacher and now you are just
days away from graduation. I have a few things that I need to tell you so that
you are able to make it through your last semester without pulling your hair
out, stressing out too much, or even curling up in a little ball and giving up
(trust me… at this point in the semester there were plenty of times you will
want to resort to this, you will eventually understand).
Pay close attention in
Linguistics and the History of the English Language, heck pay close attention
to all of your classes (specifically Geography… take that class seriously or
you will regret it when you graduate). It may not seem like it, but you will
need this later. Take notes, and study study study. The college of education
has based their whole program on the success of their student teachers. Pay
attention and save everything. Each one of your classes will contribute an
aspect to your final semester. Do not take this for granted. You will slowly
complete the work before you even get to that last semester; take the time and
do your work. Do not slack off, do not quit, you will make it through. Put your
nose in the book and do not put it down until you have completed your homework.
I’m serious!! Do not do it! There are many times that you will be able to go
out and enjoy your friends, do not use them as an excuse to not get your
homework done.
Failure is STILL not
an option in our family. Stop with the procrastination now, it will be your
downfall in the future. A deadline is a deadline: meet them, do not push it.
Pace yourself, and take assignments as they come. If you know that they are due
on a specific date, write it down and begin on it as soon as you can. Your KPTP
will be this way. Begin on it as soon as you can. Life happens, and there will
be events and aspects in your life that will slow you down and almost make you
miss your dreams. Do not let them. Sleep and drink a lot of coffee when you
can. This will be your fuel for many long nights doing homework, studying,
planning, and grading. Be kind to your kidneys: quit the Mountain Dew and Red
Bull now! There are other forms of caffeine that are much better for you.
You will meet
wonderful people throughout your college education. Take every piece of advice
that they give you and file it away. Some of the advice that you are given will
come in handy, some of it may not. Either way, they are willing to help you on
your journey-take the time and listen to them. Many teachers will be willing to
share their knowledge and even their lessons with you—take them! Listen to Dr.
Aagaard, “beg, borrow, and steal steal steal.” You will need these lessons,
assignments, and even notes. Do not pass up on anything that you think may be
useful in your classroom. You will have an amazing cooperating teacher who is
loving and supportive. She makes your last year an amazing experience. She will
be a vital asset. She is willing to help you with anything that you need; let
her help you with anything you need. She has a wealth of knowledge.
I cannot give you
details, but you will go through some of the hardest life events that you will
ever face during this semester. The only thing I can tell you is that you will
make it through it, barely, but you make it through it. It’s May for me now,
and graduation is quickly approaching. … in less than two weeks. I survived. I
am still in one piece, I am still standing strong. Do me a favor kid, forgive
daddy now. You will regret waiting to forgive him because you lose a lot of
precious time with him.
When you get to Spring
2014, know that you are almost done! You will make it. You stand strong, you
have held on. I’m proud of you kid, you did it! Buckle down, education is all
it is cracked up to be. The pay may not be worth it, but the students surely
are! Remember just a couple pieces of advice from me— 1. Life is short, enjoy
it when you can (but homework comes first). 2. Always remember what daddy
taught you when you got hit in the stomach with the baseball bat-“You’re a
tough girl. Get up, dust yourself off and go at it again.” 3. Your family and
friends are all standing behind you and supporting you in everything that you
do. Don’t stop, keep going.
“Just keep swimming”
Mary aka Cleatus
(PS. You do eventually grow out of
that nickname… let it run its course.)
I love your letter and I think you give sound advice even to those who are not your younger self!
ReplyDelete"Pay close attention in Linguistics and the History of the English Language, heck pay close attention to all of your classes (specifically Geography… take that class seriously or you will regret it when you graduate). " I think this is important because we need to practice what we preach. We need to make sure we know our content and know it's important that our students know that the content is important to THEM as well.
Congrats on making it! We are almost done! Luckily I get to work with you in the future! YAY! I know you will do great things and be an amazing teacher, just like you've always wanted! We worked hard to get to this point so don't give up! See you soon!
Best,
Ms. Vaughn
From Mr. Regier:
ReplyDelete"I especially liked your inclusion of Dr. Aagaard's old adage: "Beg, borrow, and steal, steal, steal!" As a student teacher that is something I have found to be too all too many times. And really, that's one of my favorite things about the education process: the collaboration between and amongst teachers that occurs. Because when it comes down to it, it's all about the kids' success. Every student deserves the chance to be successful, and as teachers it is our job to provide them with said chances. That old cliche, that "no man is an island"; the same can definitely be said for teachers as well. But anyways, a very good letter to yourself, very heartfelt and well written, and I wish you luck in your future career!"