Confession

So, I have a confession to make. BUT, before I disclose my little secret, I just want to quickly report that I can cross yet another goal off my list! I fulfilled my goal of volunteering at least one time during 2010. Last month, I signed up with One Brick Chicago, a non-profit volunteer organization that assists other non-profit organizations whenever called upon. I chose (from their calendar of endless opportunities) to help out at the Kids Day America event at MayFest. And, a funny thing happened during that singular volunteer experience. I discovered just how awesome public service can be. So, I'm already signed up for another event through One Brick for tomorrow. I will be helping out with kids activities again at a sidewalk chalk festival hosted by a group called Art Therapy Connection. And just last night, I attended an information session regarding the Friends First mentoring program through Mercy Home in Chicago. The Friends First program will match me with an at-risk youth to spend some time with during a few hours for 2-3 weekends per month. It's a pretty big time commitment, which is intimidating, but all I've been able to think about since the orientation is, "How can I not do this?"

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Ok ok, so here is my confession: I hate my current job. HATE. IT. Most people I'm close with already know this, but it's not something I like to advertise. Until now. *Gulp* While I am very thankful to hold a job in this less than stellar economy, I'm completely miserable. I chose the wrong path in college, and for years I couldn't foresee a comprehensible way to change lanes. Until now.

So, after years of suffering at an unsatisfying job in Cubeville, USA, I have finally found the guts and motivation to change my career. But, it is not going to be easy. In fact, "Nothing of great value comes without great sacrifice." I'm not sure who originated that quote, but I heard it once in a movie, and now I live by it.

Allow me to explain: For years I have known that I have wanted to become an elementary school teacher. I have such an enormous compassion for kids, especially kids who come from unfortunate circumstances and don't have it so easy in life. I'm not sure where this undeniable compassion stems from, but the constant nagging feeling within me urging me to find a way to help them will not disappear. It just so happens that last spring, while perusing the Chicago Public Schools website, I came across a link to another site for the AUSL program though National Louis University. AUSL stands for Academy for Urban School Leadership, and they train teachers to teach in under-performing or failing Chicago public schools that have been newly turned-around. This program, should I get accepted after the rigorous application process, would allow me to obtain a Masters degree in Education.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not naive enough to think that this experience won't be extremely challenging, but I'm also not jaded enough to think that there is no hope for children coming from less than ideal community & home environments to succeed in life.

Last night, before the orientation began, I was speaking with another prospective Friends First volunteer, and we were discussing our backgrounds. After telling her about how I got to Chicago in the first place and how I wanted to become a teacher via the AUSL program, she told me that she thought it was awesome that after 10 years in the work force, I had finally found my calling. I paused for a second because I had never thought of my desire to become a teacher as a "calling," per se, but now I can't think of a better word for it.