Thinking about Teaching

Lynae N.

December 6, 2009 - 9:44 PM

I've had a few conversations about the different possibilities I am contemplating after graduating, and I guess a few pertaining to decisions I am making before graduating as well. The first one is whether or not to do some more specialized training surrounding trauma work. I have decided, at least for the time being, that extra training needs to be put on the back burner. Another major consideration I've shared is the hope and possibility of getting pregnant.

I guess this second hope and consideration has been so ingrained into my thinking that I haven't thought about much beyond this possibility. But in the past two weeks or so I have really been challenged to consider other options. The more I think about this, the more I see some obvious directions and some not-so-obvious ones. The most feasible option and the one that makes most sense is to go straight into agency work in order to rack up the 2,000 hours I need in order to take the licensure exam and become a licensed therapist for the state of Oregon. But I am not so sure I want to jump into this full time. I am really sad about the idea of being done with school. The more I think about it the more I start to grieve the loss of academia. So I am considering something I have sworn to myself I would never do, teach.

It is funny how the most incredible experiences in my life are all things I have said I would not do. Take for example getting married, moving to Oregon, going to the UO, getting a Masters degree, and even growing my hair back out after 10 years of short spikes. And here I am finding myself more and more drawn to the idea of teaching. I think my ideal situation, as of today, for post graduation is to do part time therapy in order to start accumulating hours towards licensure and to also work part-time as an adjunct teacher at a bachelor level. This is an exciting thought, but not as exciting as having to stay home with a new baby munchcrat to keep me busy. But either way, teaching wouldn't happen until the fall so that still leaves the summer to think through. I am seriously considering studying up, being trained, and being reviewed for pastoral ordination through my church's denomination. Both my husband and I know that we have pastoral work in our future. We are unsure were or when or exactly what that will look like, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt this is the case. It is just a matter of when the appropriate time for training is. I am inclined to work on this sooner rather than later because I feel my life has been on the fast track for quite some time and I feel this is not an accident. The sooner both my husband and I can get a move on things, so to speak, the sooner we will progress through what we are needing and wanting to accomplish in life.

These are just my initial thoughts as of yet and I am not sure what another six months of stewing over these and other ideas will bring but I know that whatever the outcome I am blessed and happy, my family is blessed and happy, and whether on the fast track or the slow track, I know I'll get where I need to be.