Do It For Yourself
[Originally written: February 2019]
As much as I have always dreaded going back to school, I thoroughly enjoy it once I get back into a routine. On December 23, I completed my second master’s program in school administration and supervision. It was a long and tedious 18-month program, but I am proud of the work I produced, the knowledge I gained, and the support I received from my coworkers and family. Since completing the program, I have been thinking of other things I could study to further my knowledge and career as an educator. You work so hard over a period of time that when it’s over, you don’t know what to do with the time you spent adhering to deadlines and discussion boards. I believe in being a lifelong learner. Higher education is expensive as hell, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
As a mother, full-time teacher, and wife it was challenging to ensure I stayed on top of my assignments and class readings every week. The first time I went back to school Hunter was only six weeks old and I was unemployed. This time around I now had two children and a full-time job. My weekends and vacations were spent reading, writing papers, and creating presentations. Although I will never be able to get back the time I spent away from my children to dive into my work, I can now use what I’ve learned to advance my career so that I may contribute to my family’s future in a way I never thought that I could.
When I first decided to pursue my first master’s in teaching it was only because I believed it would increase my chances of supporting my family. My undergraduate degree was in English-Writing. At the time, I was stubborn and didn’t see the bigger picture. I was young and sought to pursue the one thing I loved and was good at. When I got pregnant with Hunter, Michael and I were sharing an apartment with three other people on O’ahu. We were also both unemployed. When we moved back to the mainland seeking a career as a writer posed various challenges, so I chose to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. I applied to the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education. At first, they declined my application because my undergraduate GPA was a 2.9. My admissions counselor had my application reconsidered; I was nine months pregnant. I owe my success to a woman who believed in me and my future. I completed the program with a 3.9 GPA and secured a teaching position three months after graduation.
Why do I share this? Because I know days are long when you’re a mother and even longer when you work outside of the home. I support women and the choices they make for their families, whether it’s to stay home or to go out into the workforce. As women, I don't believe we should be convinced to put our lives on hold because we have children or because we need to stay home and care for our children. We are masters at balancing various roles and responsibilities. We are Queens of multitasking. If you are a mom and you want to pursue a dream, go for it! I’ve done it twice. Nothing can stop us but our own hesitation. Don’t be hesitant to fill out an application, to send out a resume, or to start a small business. It is our responsibility to set an example for our children that nothing is impossible. Yes, education is expensive. No, we may not want to take out a loan to pursue a degree or open a small business. But, in order to promote personal growth, it’s 100% worth it.
XOXO Amanda