Career Roadmap
Emily's work combines: Education, Writing, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology, General
College of William and Mary
Graduate Degree
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs
Lesley University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Psychology, General
Graduate Degree: Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I first knew I wanted to be a teacher when I started first grade.
2.
I always asked to help the teacher and volunteered for any tutoring or assistant 'jobs'.
3.
I watched and listened during classes to notice what worked and what didn't work.
4.
I became a camp counselor in the summer during high school. I found out that teaching is HARD!
5.
I majored in Psychology in college because my mother did not approve of my becoming a teacher!
6.
I took a job working with severely intellectually disabled adults in a group home. Teaching!
7.
I took other jobs for a few years, to see if maybe working in an office was fun. I was miserable.
8.
Then I went to graduate school to earn an M.Ed. I knew I'd be unhappy unless I was teaching.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
You are not going to be a teacher. That's for people who don't have other options.
How I responded:
It's hard to say whether you should defy your family- especially if they are paying for your education. Sometimes, starting off with their advice is a good thing to do. If they don't want you to be a teacher, listen to their reasons. There may be truth in what they say. Think about what excites you about teaching and make sure you have opportunities to explore that. Even if you are working in another field, there are many ways to be a teacher. Don't forget- you can begin a new career anytime!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
When I started college in 1979, there were few women I knew who had careers. The expectation was to have a 'little job' until you got married. No one I knew could even tell me how to get a job! I just made my mistakes until I learned what to do.