BACK TO SCHOOL!
If you follow me on instagram or we are friends on Facebook, you already about this pretty crazy new change in my life!
Officially official, I will be going back to school May 2019! I’ll be doing the 16-month Consecutive Education Program at Queen’s University in Kingston. Yes, that means I will be moving out and living in Kingston by myself for 16 months.
It’s definitely going to be an adjustment.
One, I’ve never lived away from home. If I could, I would have loved to commute because I love living at home, but 6 -hours back and forth every day is a bit nuts for me.
Two, I’m going from full-time employment to full-time school. That in itself is a huge change! No more steady income and a lot more expenses (especially living away from home). No more 9-5 work, but welcome back to sitting in classrooms, assignments, tests, etc.
And three, I’m completely going 360 and going to teacher’s college! That is so completely different than accounting and audit, which I’ve been studying and doing for the past 8 years.
But y’all, I am excited. Nervous yes, but excited.
You’re probably asking right about now: why are you doing this?
A little bit of background, I’ve always loved teaching and working with kids. When I was young and I had kids over at my house, we would always play school. I, of course, would be the teacher and they my students. I would literally make quizzes, assignments and report cards for them.
And then from there, I was fortunate to get teaching opportunities throughout high school and university. I did a summer teaching assistant program one year at Peel District School Board, I worked at Kumon for many years, I teach Sunday School, and I got to TA multiple courses when I was doing my undergrad at UTM. Even during my time at EY, one of my favourite parts of my job was getting to coach the junior members of the team.
For me, teaching feels rewarding. I love the challenge of getting little kids to pay attention, learn, and take in what they’re learning. I love seeing the light bulb go off in other people’s heads when it finally clicks for them what they’re learning. I also just think that teachers have such an important job of helping shape and influence the future generation - and that, is something that am passionate about and I want to be a part of.
Recently I’ve been really praying about what kind of concentration I want to do in school. Concentration is kind of like a “major” or something that you’ll be focusing on/taking additional courses on. After my trip to China two years ago, I think God really opened my eyes to a special group of kids. Ever since then, I just felt that I have a calling towards working and advocating for kids like the ones I had the fortunate opportunity to meet and get to know. These kids are just so so special and with various different needs that 95% are not being addressed in schools to this day.
So with that, my plan is to do a concentration on Exceptional Learners! Please help by praying that I will get into this concentration, that I can absorb as much as possible, and then be a blessing to these kids!
There were reasons why I didn’t get go into teaching right away and looking back, I am so grateful that God has lead me down this path. I’ve learned so so much throughout my past years studying Commerce and working in audit. Which is why I have to address this next thing.
As much as most of the reactions i’ve received about my decision has been so positive and supportive, there are some people who are shocked and say things like “you’re going after all those years doing accounting?”, “You’re giving up your job?!”, and “WOw, are you sure you want to throw away your cpa?”
Going to be honest with you, that last one really aggravates me the most. And when people respond that way and sometimes indirectly with their facial expression OR maybe even to my dad instead of me, I just don’t respond. And while I don’t have to justify why I am going back to school to anyone, I want to write this to encourage those of you who are contemplating going back to school:
I am not “throwing away” my CPA. I will still have it and I will continue to have it.
The skills that I’ve learned studying commerce/accounting, doing audit, etc. will always be transferable, no matter where I go and what I do in life. I have learned SO MUCH over the past years that I will take with me to the classroom. Communication skills, leadership skills, organizational skills, need I go on?
Just because I’m not doing accounting-related, does not mean I will not in the future. I don’t know what my future holds - I can plan it out for 5-10 years down the road, but let’s be real…God knows the ultimate plan. So, who knows? I could be doing something accounting-related in the future.
Adding on - I’ve been chatting with others about going back to school and recently I was chatting with someone who really made me more excited about going. Honestly, I think he was more excited about me going back to school for teaching than I am. But we chatted about how many opportunities that I would have in the future once I get my Bachelor of Education and how my background/experiences really makes me stand out. And I totally agree and not saying that to humble brag. I just honestly think that with those experiences and future ones, I can bring so many things to the table. Maybe I’ll incorporate my BEd and BComm in the future? Incorporate my love for music in there. Or my passion for cooking/baking. I can seriously talk on and on about this point because I have so many ideas running through my head!
Last, I’ve been sitting on this decision for awhile and praying about it. The more that I reflect and pray, the more I feel the pull towards going to teaching. I feel like there is a reason that God is calling me towards this path and as much as it is scary to leave something that is stable, giving you income, something that you are familiar with and are kinda good at, I have to trust that He has a plan for me and one that I cannot see for myself.
I am so fortunate to have family and close friends who are so supportive of me going back to school. And like I said most people have responded positively, commenting that they have always pictured me as a teacher/that I will be a great one (and I thank each and everyone of you who do think that).
SO, I am excited, I’m nervous…but I can’t wait to see where this next adventure leads. I hope that you will pray for me and for school & I promise that I will keep you all updated with many more blog posts about life as a university student once again!