Doing Something Brave

40 Years Later

Doing Something Brave

     I like to challenge myself to “do something brave,” which translates into doing something out of my Comfort Zone. It is important to note that my Comfort Zone has grown exponentially bigger in the last six years and especially the last three years, with COVID looming.

     Yesterday, I applied for a job at a University in their School of Education Lab School. I did my student teaching (now called Student Internship) at that very Lab school. When I was there, it was in a different facility, but I was so very pleased to read that their philosophy and practice is still play-centered, with large periods of Outside Time no matter what the weather.

     Many years ago, the director expressed a strong desire to hire me, but the teacher I would replace had not formally put Retirement papers in yet. She (the director) told me, “You cannot wait for this to happen. If (the county  where I did my primary student teaching) offers you a contract, take it.”

     And that is what happened…I took it. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I always wanted to teach at The Lab School because their model and philosophy of teaching young children fit with mine. It is a bit shy of 40 years later, and a job popped up there. I threw my hat in the proverbial ring.

     As my mom would say, “It will either work out or it won’t.” If it works out, I am not abandoning my growing writing career (my book is still coming out in May 2024); I am or would be growing my spirit.

     Am I afraid? Yes! But that’s okay because I am also quite excited by the prospect of teaching/learning in an environment of play-based learning. Play is the language of children. I am fluent in this language and have missed the immersion in it. I already have my interview outfit all picked out.

     It is important to note that over the past six years, I have applied for and been rejected from numerous jobs. Each rejection hurt deeply. I’m okay with that. I do take “it” personally because that is who I am. If I am rejected for this one, I will cry and hurt for as long as I need to do so.

     If I am accepted, I will worry myself into an absolute tizzy, and that’s okay, too, because it is who I am. I am a more evolved person and teacher than I was 40 years ago. And that is a good thing.

     What brave thing do you “need/seek/burn” to do? Drop me a comment/ or a story below. Thank you for reading, and thank you for listening.