Tuesday, August 11, 2026: Preparing to start with a new challenge in my career, but still doing what I love. I’m going to continue working as an educational aide, but it a completely new school district with high school kids (instead of elementary age like I’m used to. Here’s to new beginnings!
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I started working in education at the end of 2011 as a Substitute teacher in my area. At an elementary school, music class for a half day. My first foray into working in education, and on the way, I felt like I might vomit. I was nervous. Rightfully so. I’d never done anything like this. in my life. The only thing that qualified me was that I had a bachelor’s degree. In my county, that’s all that “qualified” me to perform a job that I was in no way qualified to do.
Well, obviously I survived it, and no bodily fluids exited me that day. Yes, I was nervous. Yes, the thought about what the hell was I doing crossed my mind numerous times that day. But, yes, I ended up going back, substituting both there and in other area schools, and I was hooked.
I fell in love with working in education.
I decided at that time that I wanted to become a teacher, so I began pursuing my Master’s in Teaching shortly after that first experience. During the next seven years, and three to four preschool experiences under my belt, I was four classes (including Student Teaching) away from attaining that goal.
And then…cancer hit my mom, and I was stopped dead in my tracks. It took her from me in the summer of 2019, and, coupled with the fact that I was pretty much out of aid to help me pay for it, for all intensive purposes, that dream seemed to die on the spot. I was able to take two more classes a couple of years after, but here I sit. So close, yet so far away.
Back to 2019, November 18th to be exact, I began my career as an aide (bus aide to start).
I stayed with that school district for the next seven school years. I made many great memories, working with so many amazing kids and teachers, and gained so much valuable experience. The money wasn’t great, but it was the most rewarding season of my (work) life ever. Further, it prepared me for what begins today…
NEW BEGINNINGS
I’m now heading down a different road on my career journey in education. I’m still going to be working as an Aide. The location and the names are changing (along with my wage), but one thing remains: my love for the most rewarding career I’ve ever had in my life.
I’m excited, nervous, and a little scared at the unknowns. I think that’s a normal feeling for just about anyone going through any changes in life. The main thing that I am bringing with me to this new venture is experience and confidence. I know that even though it’s a new age group of students that will present me with new challenges, I am confident in my abilities because I also am good at what I do.
I’m sure there will be more to talk about and share with you here as I go forward, but just know this: my career in education gives me peace and joy, and to me, that is what makes all the hard work and challenges seem a lot less like work, and more like a calling in a field where I belong.
I embrace that. Time to go. Here’s to my new adventure!
FUN NOTE: I threw in pictures of a panther and a cardinal because those are the mascots of the former school district and my new one respectively. So:
GO CARDS!
©Mark’s Life
What stands out here is that the original dream did not simply die; it changed form under the pressure of grief, money, and circumstance. The formal qualification remained unfinished, but the seven years of daily work gave you something no degree could manufacture on its own: experience tested in real classrooms, with real children, responsibilities, and consequences. Moving from elementary pupils to high-school students will require a different language and different boundaries, but you are not beginning again from nothing. You are carrying the proof that you already belong in education. May the cardinal prove a worthy successor to the panther... and may this new district recognise the value of what you bring.
Sounds exciting!