Closing Time

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

Deep Breath. I cannot believe this is over. It is very strange. I wanted so bad to talk to you all – but I woke up Monday with a bad cold so I voted against a video.

The past year has been intense. Lots of ups and downs and yet I have stuck with the program and I am earning a master’s degree. It is funny to be to have a master’s degree as I do not in any way feel I am a master. I know there is always more to learn and I will always be growing. To be a master sounds very final. 

Because of this program I have learned APA format. I know that sounds silly but when I was in college it was not enforced. I didn’t learn it in high school. So I struggled with APA writing but now I feel like a have a grasp on it. As with learning any new skill – it gives me a confidence boost.  

This program has solidified my belief in not judging others. I was once the queen of judgment. But as I began working, I learned that judging others is a waste of my own energy, it hurts people and it offers no solution to problems – usually it creates more.  As I learned more in school, I would be bolstered by the readings and I would (as politely as I could) ask my colleagues at work to think about their own judging. Sometimes it went fine other times it didn’t. I am glad that I can make myself look at things from different perspectives. 

Another thing I learned from being in this program is that there are a whole lot of people interested in the same things I am. This was huge for me. In my life it has been hard to find people who cared like I cared and were concerned about issues without being apathetic. I loved learning there are other people who think like me and care about what I care about. Discussion boards with classmates, research articles, professional networks…there is an entire group of people who are involved with early childhood. It’s awesome.

I don’t know if I have a concrete long term goal. Hmmm…. My dream is to be able to have a self sustaining life. So I guess my long term goal is make enough money to live, eat, and support myself on my own WHILE remaining in the field of early childhood.  I would like to see teachers in early childhood education embrace education. My experience has taught me that people do not like learning. But it is so important. I hate it when people are all jaded and act like they know everything and cannot learn. Maybe as an adult educator I can get people jazzed about education.

I am a bit sad about completing this program. It means I have to begin a new life. I don’t like that. It scares me. I will miss talking to people on the discussion boards. I will miss the readings. I liked learning new things each week. I have felt so supported throughout this whole program. I will miss that feeling. I am so glad I have gotten to have this experience. I am glad I have gotten to know each of you and your interests. I hope we all succeed in what we want in life. I’m on Facebook if you want to keep in touch.  

Farewell.

*Closing Time is song by Semi Sonic from the late 90’s*