Happy Monday everyone! Welcome back. I'm joining in again for another week with Miss Monica from I Heart Grade 3 and her Weekly Summer Link Up. Each week, Miss Monica has a writing prompt to blog about. So far, I've managed to keep up with each week so far.
This week's topic is:
An Accomplishment I Am Proud Of
You know, I feel like I have accomplished a lot of things in my life that I can say I am truly proud of. I became a piano teacher at the age of 16, teaching beginner students in a professional studio. I overcame a very severe social anxiety disorder that had me trapped in fear all throughout high school. I accomplished being accepted into one of the best art schools in the country and graduating with a BFA in Illustration. I accomplished landing a job as an artist that I had the privilege working at for almost six years. I could finally say I followed my dream and it came true. I also accomplished becoming a mommy to three beautiful children.
All these are accomplishments I feel proud of. But if we are going with teaching accomplishments, I would have to say that an accomplishment I am proud of has to be from this year. That is overcoming a big step and a fear of becoming a full time homeschool mom {and actually succeeding at it}.
Homeschooling is way beyond anything I had ever expected. The countless hours of staying up, putting together a full curriculum, being responsible for my daughter's education. I had fears of failing her, failing myself, and just feeling this would not be good. But you know what? After this first year, I can truly say that we have accomplished above and beyond what would have been expected of her to learn and know.
I did not take any "cutting corners" strategy. We sat and busted our butts all year long with hardly any breaks while her friends in public school were out for breaks, learning and pushing ahead. There were some days I may have pushed her too hard for an 8 year old. But I have seen the hard work and dedication has paid off.
I refused to feel like we failed. And I am so happy to say we fought it through with flying colors. It wasn't always easy, but we survived. I never knew the struggles that teachers put into a year working with students and planning and finding new things for the day and making lessons and unit studies. I have to tell you... it's exhausting!! I have a lot of respect for what teachers have to do to plan and organize each and every year.
I feel privileged to be able to call myself a teacher now. Since that is what I have been doing. I am educating my daughter through life. Even though we are not in a classroom, we still keep up hours and hours of work to make sure that she is the best she can be. And I feel like Wonder Woman most days from it. Because I never thought I would be able to do this....it makes me happy knowing I can and have been able to.
And now that it's the end of the year coming to a close, I feel a drink is in order. Who is with me?
I know I am!!! Even though we are not taking the entire summer off, I feel she deserves a few weeks right now from all the hard work to just relax and enjoy some fun in the sun...and so do I. We will start back soon enough with our studies in a couple of weeks.
Sounds so lovely! Such a fabulous accomplishment to be able to educate your daughter!! I'm sure it will also bring you closer together! Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeletehttp://teaching-autism.blogspot.co.uk
That is so great to hear! I am going to be homeschooling my daughter (6) next year. I'm excited and scared shit-less. I'm so happy to hear that you had a great first year homeschooling. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll take a margarita, s'il vous plaît, and if you don't have it a nice cold glass of rosé! We shall toast your success as a homeschooling parent!
ReplyDeleteI contemplated homeschooling my son for the last quarter of the school year but felt the task rather daunting. I am totally in my element when I am teaching in my classroom - but to try to do it one on one with my son? I had no confidence in my abilities. I have the utmost respect for moms and dads who homeschool their children. It takes dedication, motivation and discipline to do what you do!
Monica
www.iheartgrade3.com
www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Grade-3
So happy to hear about your success. It's truly an accomplishment. I can only imagine how hard that may be. Enjoy your drink! lol. Congratulations on your new accomplishment!
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