The weeks are hurtling by here and I have been going about my usual days cleaning, sorting, baking, making and a little gardening in some sunshine. The house is slowly becoming less cluttered but I still have a long way to go. I have never wanted to pare back so much in my life. There is just no need for most of the 'things' in my home and I want more space for living and clear space for thinking and creating. This longing for change has seen me lost in a little dreaming as well....
Several years ago I pondered on the thought of studying towards a career in Primary teaching, but I decided that the timing wasn't right and so came along little Benjamin. The thought started niggling at me again recently and I committed myself to many late nights researching every university across Australia offering a degree in education. I got confused several times, doubted my capabilities, doubted the 'system' and at times I think my family thought I was nuts.
BUT I persisted and in the end I bravely enrolled! I am now a uni student! I start at the end of the month with Open Universities to study open units online (an eco friendly option) and I have enrolled into the Bachelor of Education (Primary) with UTAS - a University in Tasmania (also online learning). I am hopeful that I will be offered a place, but if not I will continue with Open Universities to work towards my degree. It will take a while to achieve, but I am not going to think about the time. I will just take each unit, each semester and each year as it comes and as the years pass I will be closer to completing my degree and closer to a rewarding career working with children. I am looking forward to learning too. Reading interesting text, improving my academic skills and sharing my experiences with fellow students and teachers of the future.
When I decided a few years ago that I wouldn't pursue the career I also decided that maybe it wasn't something that I wanted to do because I wanted to teach children things they don't teach in school. I actually preferred the learning environments of unschooling, Steiner and Montessori schools. BUT I have started to wonder why can't I include some of these concepts at the same time as teaching the curriculum? Maybe I can make a difference? Hopefully in the environment of a school with a supportive principal I can establish a school vegetable garden, have a compost bin in our classroom, create an ongoing and seasonal nature table, discuss life skills and making instead of buying...gently encouraging more makers and less consumers of the future. I imagine my room to look nothing like a regular classroom but more like a home. Maybe I am dreaming. But I like this dream, it inspires me and it will get me through the times when I struggle to study or I am nervous about an exam. I want to make a difference for the rest of my life and as children are our future I will be blessed and inspired to work with them through their own little journeys of learning and discovery. I just hope I can share some of my passions for living with them.
Thanks for visiting,
Amanda
P.S Study tips for busy mums are welcome in the comments below!
