Where the Journey Starts

Originally written on March 7, 2012.

My brain hurts; I blame it on education. It’s the beginning of March and I am nose deep in education policy – I can only imagine what it will be like when I am actually working at PEN. I am reading every article, brief, newspaper clipping…you get the point. I have spent the last four years teaching kids, I am an expert in that. But, I feel completely inadequate and lost when it comes to policy. It seems like a waste to have spent $80,000 for my college degree and have no prior knowledge on how this tangled, complicated policy world works. I guess my mom was right, I actually have to attend my classes to gain something from it…seed planted, message received.

What are some things I have learned through all of my reading, you ask? Well…I’ll list a few below:

1.   Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to pass legislation that drastically changed the education climate of our country (known as ESEA).

2.   Much of our education debate is based on party lines (no surprise there), and the federal government’s role.

3. Education policy is much more complicated than what I originally predicted.

4. Few Education Policy Makers actually were educators...in public schools...CRAZY!

As I prepare myself for what is to come this summer, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the “hot mess” that is our education system. Even more, I can’t help but feel the desire to “school” (no pun intended) Capitol Hill who can’t even begin to understand to how their policy decisions affect me and my peers.

On a different note, I met…err was digitally introduced to my fellow intern buddy this afternoon. She is still an undergrad (I feel old) and I am excited to learn more from her perspective and experience. Nice to know I'll have an impressionable buddy (maybe?) who can kick me when I'm too cynical and depressing. 

So, here I am…a school teacher, ready to make some waves on the Hill in the name of enlightenment. I lack a law degree, or any business experience. It seems that those are the prevailing attributes of our country’s leaders.

I pray for focus and determination. I will face adversity never experienced before. I will definitely feel defeated frequently. But, If I have learned one thing from my mom’s seedlings (Thanks Mom!) It’s that adversity only makes the best leaders. And, If I continue to pull from the wisdom I’ve been given by God, I know that what doors He opens, He will bless. Here is to a great journey, one that will test my strength, beliefs and intelligence on so many levels. And…here’s to the true heroes in our country – the teachers. The ones who work tirelessly, regardless of the criticism, chastising and lack of appreciation. It is because of you all that I feel the passion and drive to put myself out there and demand the respect and valor you deserve!

Okay, I’ll get off my soap box now,

Let the fun begin…