So our little family is almost done with our masters degree! This degree is shared between Bob, Olivia and myself. I feel that I have learned a lot of lessons and reached many personal mild stones in my life. I have learned many things...
1. Work Hard-
Though out my life, I have worked hard. Sometimes, I would honestly wonder..."Why do I work this hard for nothing?" As I was growing up, I would see other students study half as hard and achieve higher grades. Although, on the outside I seemed ok or gave a face- It hurt on the inside. I remember giving myself little victories if I got a "B" on a test, simply because I passed.
2. I am smart
I always struggled with wondering if I was smart or not. I thought to a point I was not smart simply because I struggled in school with reading, writing, math, science, and memorization. My mother was wise and put me into resource when I was younger. I developed a strong relationship with my resource teacher, Mrs. Simmons. She helped me learn study skills- (my work ethic- as I discussed before). Mrs. Simmons created a relationship with me that was so pure, sensitive, and kind that I would never forget. She is the reason why I am going into education. Mrs. Simmons would remind me how I was a child of God. She would tell me that my difficult road in grade-school would pass, although at the time- I did not believe her. One of my favorite memories of her was when she tried to explain Gardner's Multiple Intelligence's to me as a child. She said I was smart, but in my own special way. I asked why can't I be math smart or reading smart? She told me because God gives each one of us different talents. In this program I have learned that I am smart. I am smart with art, I am smart in group work, and I am smart with tactile work. So, to be brief- in this program I have learned that I am smart. I have learned everyone is smart in their own way.
3. It is ok to have a disability - not embarrassing
So I have dyslexia. So I have A.D.D. So I have a math disorder- (yes, I did not know what that was until now). That is ok. I am still a smart person. Yes, I have to work harder with these skills, but it is worth it. I developed an incredible work ethic. I have struggled with these aspects still today and what has been the blessing of it? Simply, that I am a much stronger person. I know I can do it. I know that anyone can learn, and anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.
4. Being a teacher of life
I remember a time where I was depressed every day because of the struggles of my students. I thought, wow- I was such a princess compared to these kids.
So our little family is almost done with my masters program. YAY! Honestly it is a personal triumph to know that I was able to get a masters degree. Throughout my life, I always struggled with the knowledge that I was "not" smart. The reason why, was because when I was younger I had to go to a resource class to help me with most of my schooling. It was always an inner scare that I pretended never happened. I knew I worked hard for my grades, but when I would see results like B's, C's or even D's on certain assignments, my self-esteem about school would hinder. I would be really upset as a little kid, and express these emotions to my mother. Especially, when I would see others in my class get A's for half the studying, honestly it hurt. I would ask my mother why other students would get great grades for hardly studying and me, who constantly studied would get horrible grades. However, my study habits did not let up. I continued to get ok grades in jr. high and high school. I was not a 4.0 student, but I was defiantly, a "B" range student. I got better grades in college and now that I have learned how to develop a strong work ethic because I am getting excellent grades in graduate school. This past of having what they called "disabilities" has made me a stronger, more compassionate, smarter person in the long-run. As a teacher I use what I struggled with in school- Reading, math, writing, and memorization (yeah- seriously?) to be more compassionate to students, create meaningful lesson plans that accommodates to everyone, and develop a relationship with students.
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