A Nice Compromise I would Like (original) (raw)

I actually have a much more important article to write on a serious matter to me, but this is another important personal issue to me, which I should be able to finish in the 16 minutes before the Dodger game begins so here I go.

With 6 days remaining before I am back to the grind the school world serving as a teacher and a student, I feel it high time to post what I now believe will be necessary to my child development career, but also rather desirable. I just completed my first summer at Avid 4 Adventure camp and possibly my last summer as a pure camp counselor. I have given up on suggesting that any summer working at a camp will be my last; therefore, I have accepted that I may just some day close the book on that lifestyle, but who knows? One thing I do know is that I have different wishes for future summers although working with kids remains an integral passion I wish to continue during my summers.

From now on, I wish to dedicate my summers to bringing me back in touch with the sheer joy of children. That is not to say that I never enjoyed children this summer, not at all. Rather, I enjoyed much of what I did with children this summer, but there were absolutely things this summer with children, that I could not stand. Making music with my voice student and all my piano students was wonderful. There were obviously moments I could have done without, but the brief periods of stress were beyond microscopic compared to the priceless gifts of listening to music I had guided kids to making. Gifts from parents to thank me for my dedication, hugs from students, laughing with them; it all was wonderful. That was what elementary music education should be and I love it. As for working at Avid 4 Adventure, I loved leading and dances with kids, telling stories, running A&C periods, and growing with my staff. Did I enjoy taking 5 year olds to the bathroom? Did I enjoy needing to regroup kids to keep them safe or make judgement calls that may or may not perfectly complement my co-counselors' wishes? NO. And honestly, who does? Does any parent enjoy waking up at 3 am to put their infant back to sleep who wouldn't let them go to sleep until after 12? What parent honestly WANTS to change an infant's diaper? Etc. Parenting is a wonderful opportunity, the greatest gift to countless people. Nonetheless, one needs not claim that they love EVERYTHING about it so much as embrace the timeless moments. That said, I have devised my own balance to such a paradox.

Teaching is a passion of mine and I intend to continue my career in it. Special education looks to be the angle that will make it an affordable profession and it is a truly meaningful one. I have intention to continue teaching music, but special education now looks to be the strenuous part of my job necessary to teaching. I have experienced success stories for children with special needs no matter how many heartbeats have been taken off the end of my life in the process, but I am proud of my achievements for children's growth. Nonetheless, teaching is a mentally draining profession at given times that requires mental health breaks. To address this need, I therefore, a professional goal for my summer will entail at least one child development assignment; paid ideally, but volunteer if need be; that promotes a connection with children without requiring any of the frustrating structured lifestyle required in a school settings or to a different but still existing extent, at camp settings. The emotional endurance needed to effectively reach out to the children I will be working with this year will stress me at times. Sometimes I will fret over my own self-confidence. Other times, I will fret over the needs not being me to the students. Other times, I will just be exhausted. It will all happen. Therefore, I will need to experience instances by which I can isolate the wonders of kids and embrace that.

6 days and let the internship begin.