Dear Janelle,
You are about to embark on the most incredible of adventures. I know it has taken time to find this path, but soon you will see the journey has led you exactly where you are supposed to be. Don’t be discouraged when things are difficult. Huge changes lie ahead. You’ll find a job you love, and just a few months later you’ll find yourself moving to another state and back in a job you don’t love. Don’t worry. Everything will be alright in the end. As you leave your first teaching position, you will soon find one you love even more: teaching science.
The first couple of years in education, you will be finding your way. It will be tough. You will work long hours. You will be a novice at forming relationships with students. You may wonder if you made the right choice as you search for learning opportunities and design lessons that don’t always go as planned. As you make mistakes, you will learn along with your students. Each day, it will get easier.
And then, one day, magic will happen. You’ll make deep connections with your students. You will begin to forge your teaching philosophy and start making a difference. Don’t be afraid to share what works. Don’t be afraid to share when you fail. Take advantage of professional development opportunities that come your way. You’ll apply for experiences, and you won’t be accepted. Try again! Because one day, you’ll look back and be amazed at all you have accomplished, all the experiences you have shared, all the students you have had a chance to work with, and you will be so glad you started this path. You’ll have experiences you only used to dream about, and you will know you have truly found your dream “job”. And don’t worry; you’ll never have all the answers. The learning will never end!
