Day 334

Sometimes, my running is more like sitting. I try not to be connected to a screen but sometimes, it feels inevitable. Currently, I am writing the blog post you are reading. At the beginning of 2023, I challenged myself to write a 365-word blog post everyday discussing my life on our farm. It's hard to believe there is only one month left in this challenge. I know my blog posts will slow down in 2024 but I am hoping my writing doesn't. I have always had a dream of publishing a picture book and I am hoping to rediscover my picture book works and bring them back to life. 

But I’ll also be busier in other activities. And I don't mean chickens, gardening, or restoration projects.

Besides teaching kindergarten, I now have two other teaching gigs, both serving as an adjunct instructor.

This spring, I will be starting year number three as an instructor for the University of Whitewater’s early childhood, nature-based certificate program. Completely online, it is a bit of a challenge to teach a class about nature. However, I feel it is imperative to get kids and adults outside, so any opportunity to spread that message is valuable to me. 

I am also excited to start a brand new gig at Waukesha County Technical College. This job is a combination of face-to-face in the evening and online. I’ll be an instructor in the Foundations of Teaching program. In this program, students digging into the idea of entering the educational field enroll in various classes connected to topics such as classroom management, special education, and more general curriculum rates to various subject areas. I will be starting with a class focusing on teaching Science.

These extra gigs will make my life a bit hectic at times, but they will both allow me to pursue my passion for education in new ways. I love teaching kids but I am excited at the prospect of shaping the educational philosophies of our next generation of educators, even in the most miniscule of ways. 

Who knows what my educational future holds?  I am ecstatic to help all learners, both young and old, be the best they can be.