To Be a Teacher [S1 E3]

What does it mean to be a teacher?

Our teaching journeys are all different. Some of us come right up out of the womb into teaching and others of us get to this profession from a bumpy, unconventional road. Each and every teacher has a story to tell about their career, and for episode three, Amanda and Marie share theirs.

I can remember so many teachers that inspired me to want to change the world. That is the most powerful thing we can do: inspire for GOOD.

I can remember so many teachers that inspired me to want to change the world. That is the most powerful thing we can do: inspire for GOOD.

 

Amanda’s teaching journey

For me (Amanda), the teaching journey has been a journey from the womb. With many family members in the profession and early experiences with phenomenal teachers, teaching always felt like a calling for me. From my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Kramer to my high school experience with Mrs. Tancredi, I couldn’t wait to get in my very own classroom. I applied for the Golden Apple Scholarship, and after earning it, I was brought into a family of social-justice minded educators and challenged from the very beginning of my career to think about equity and to confront my own biases from my life experiences.

I taught for ten years in a school where I learned all my lessons the hard way, became family with my students, attended quinceaneras, and coached soccer for six years. That school became my home.

But life kept moving, and it was physically moving me in a new direction. After two years of commuting 60 miles one way, I finally had to make the decision to leave my original school and look for a job elsewhere. I’m currently two years into that new school, that new phase of life, and learning that teaching just keeps changing as we grow older and the world evolves.

I remember in my early years, I just did so many things WRONG. I worked too hard and almost burned out way too early…

Here’s a peek at Amanda’s first school, second classroom. Ahh, the windows!!!

Here’s a peek at Amanda’s first school, second classroom. Ahh, the windows!!!

 

Marie’s teaching journey

Marie also grew up always wanting to do well in school and working ahead of the rest of her classmates. Marie didn’t know she was going to be a teacher, and actually started out wanted to be a writer. She was always good at it and loved taking classes, but being a teacher wasn’t yet on the horizon.

After changing her major over and over, she finally decided she wanted to be a teacher right before college graduation — not what anyone, including her parents — were expecting. And that was it! One day, decision made, paperwork filed and she went straight into a teaching credential program. Like we said, we all get to this job in so many ways!

We both have experience with the many stages in the teaching journey: especially the new teacher burnout. We have soooo been there.

Whether you’re a new teacher looking for someone help you see the light or a veteran stuck in a rut, we’re here for you!  Be sure to follow us on Instagram and join our email list for updates, freebies, and inspo!

SHOW LINKS:

 

And let’s remember that the work we do TEACHING every single day is important, no matter how little it seems like anyone seems to care.

 

To check out what Amanda’s up to outside of Brave New Teaching, head over to her website or Instagram pages to fill up on some clever teaching ideas. Amanda also has a Teachers Pay Teachers online store with lots of ready-to-teach products for you.

And to check out Marie’s busy teacher life, be sure to check out her YouTube channel where she vlogs and posts videos about all the teacher things, her Instagram, and her Teachers Pay Teachers store!

podcast episodes, season oneAmanda Cardenasinspiration2 Comments