My Future

The past two weeks have forced me to second guess my future plans. I've been an educator for seven years, and it never occurred to me that I would abandon teaching. Until two weeks ago. Now I'm not sure if I will survive as a career teacher. It's disheartening to see how people in my state do not value education and how easy it is for them to take away funding, increase class sizes (we're already at 40+!), and lower teacher morale.

While reading Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson this weekend, I found this quote: "I am through writing about regret and what might have been. I cannot change the past--only the future. And the only thing I can really change about the future is me. I have me, and I have my writing, two gifts ... and that is a lot to built a future with. Enough" (215).

What perfect advice for me! I've recently been regretting my decision to be a teacher instead of a lawyer, a choice I made over ten years ago. But regret doesn't get me anywhere. Moving ahead does. And I want to build my future, particularly my writing future, which is why I applied this week for Vermont College's Master of Writing for Children and Young Adults. When I told my parents about my decision to apply, their first question was, "Will this help you earn more money in your job?" No! And why should it? This is something that I'm doing entirely for ME. The degree is great, but it's what I will learn along the way that is more valuable to me.

Now I just have to wait the 4-6 weeks to see if I'm accepted. If I don't get in, I may need chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.