"Reading Therapist"

As most of you know I am attending grad school for Early Childhood Development & Special Education. I am currently taking 2 classes, which at my school is full time. When I transfer 4 classes will be full-time, but I digress.

Anyways one of my 2 classes is not typically a class you take in your first semester [Early Lit], but it doesn't come around every semester and it just so happened to come around during my first semester and my graduate advisor told me to take it so I didn't get screwed come time to graduate, and I cant, b/c of this one class. I said okay. She knows best. My first few weeks months in this class I came home and just cried. I was beyond overwhelmed. the work load was huge.

I was not the only one who felt this way. But I was one of the only students in more then 1 class. Me and ONE other student were in 2 classes.

But I sat down one morning with a spiral NB and figured out how I was going to make both my classwork loads work. I knew it wasn't impossible. I mean when I was PREGNANT on BEDREST I took 7 classes [online] to finish my bachelors degree while going through a nasty divorce. I knew I could handle 2 [grad level] classes.

I just needed to write myself a daily schedule. Thats how I operate. So I wrote out everything, down to when E would nap. I changed her nap times, b/c she was getting up earlier, so she was going down for her naps earlier so in turn she was getting up from them earlier. I started showering at night so I didn't have to worry about that while she was napping, more time for school work.

Needless to say, I made it work, and I lowered my stress level, somewhat.

As the semester progress & I stopped dreading that class, b/c I had a handle on it, I began to really enjoy it. I also really liked my professor. I also realized that I am really good when it comes to children and reading. Which is the premiss of EARLY LITERATURE.

I began thinking, I don't want to teach Middle or High School, my heart is with young children but I would like to specialize in reading. So I got talking to my professor last week & I asked her what I can do on the early childhood (pre-k through 3rd grade) front dealing with just reading? and she, one of the biggest reasons I am going to miss my college when I leave, said that I can be a reading therapist.

To do that you have to have a Masters or beyond, so I am on the right path. So when I transfer I will continue to do ECD -or- Ex. Ed. depending on what program I get into (I can't get a dual cert. at the University near my hometown), but I will take my electives in childhood reading and I will get certified after graduation. I will do what I NEED TO DO.

Usually special needs children need the extra help reading & reading therapists step-in and give that extra help. So I will get to fuel both of my loves. There are also centers that help children that are having difficulty reading (ie: Sullivan). Some schools hire RT to come in to co-teach in the classroom or pull-out during the reading block. You help the lower readers and you help propel them; the goal is to get them on grade level.

I can't wait to help!--I am even more excited for the future now.

...

I teach my Pilgrim Lesson tomorrow & I am so excited!!

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli

"QotD"

I have this great appon iPhone call QotD (Question of the Day) and it randomly gives you "deep meaningful to light playful" questions. Here are two that I came across when I was messing with the app the other day:



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What Did you used to want, that you do not care about anymore?

This is kind of funny b/c I was just talking about this with my MIL. I majored in PR b/c I loved it [at the time], I was good at it; We ran a campaign for a non-profit & I rocked it on the Exec. team. I got a high being in a boardroom or lecture hall speaking in front of people. I wanted to be a PR executive sooo bad I could taste it. I could feel it. I would daydream about me in my suits on my phone with my briefcase blabbing to MY assistant. I wanted the BIG office, the multiple computers. The title & the paycheck that went with that title. But then one day something changed, I got pregnant earlier then I had intended, but it was part of GOD PLAN. You don't make the plan's he does. I realized, yes I am GOOD at PR but I was going to start a family [I realize you can have a HIGH powered career & a family too] but I wanted to be the one to raise MY family. I wanted to drop them off at school, pick them up, be at the sporting events or recitals/or meets [dance, musical or gymnastics] I wanted to see them grow. Have family game nights. I wanted to make a normal calendar day special, just b/c I love my family. I just couldn't see myself doing PR & being happy. With high power comes late nights, long hours & trips. Sitting in an office would be stifling, when I knew my family was at home, w/o me. Even taking my work home wouldn't be enjoy able to me. I finished my degree b/c there was no reason to turn back when I was 1 class (3 credits) short of finishing & graduated. I was lost. I prayed & prayed. I talked to people I trusted & I realized I wanted to TEACH: the hours are conducive to family life (I can BE THERE), I can help make a difference in the lives of children, No sitting in an office all day, I can be with them for EVERY HOLIDAY no excuses we're on the same schedule for ALL breaks, THIS IS WHERE MY PASSION IS- I can see myself doing this in 20, 30yrs & still be happy. Here we are today, I am in the process of getting my Masters degree in Early Childhood Development & Special Education. More education is ALWAYS the better idea.

...

&

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If you could "have it both ways" rather then having to choose between one or the other, what would you have both ways? [don't worry about sounding selfish, greedy, materialistic, etc...]

I wish I could be both a SAHM/SAHW & Have my [as soon as I am done with the masters program] teaching career. I love keeping a house, making coffee every morning, doing the dishes while it brews & switching the laundry, folding it with NickJr or PlayHouse Disney in the background. I love making fun lunches for E & planning what's for dinner every night while I make my grocery list on Sunday's (back when I had my own place).

I have LOVED every single [even though I complain sometimes] second of raising E for the last [almost] 2 yrs. It has been BEAUTIFUL to watch her grow & learn. To watch her become her own little person & develop her own personality has been an amazing & breathtaking journey. I am excited beyond words for the next stage(s) in her life. I am so blessed that I am getting to be here for the tea parties, dress-ups, bubble-baths & bake-offs. I am so excited for all her life holds. The possibilities are endless.

But I am also thrilled that I have started a program that I love with all my being. Something I am so passionate about. I want to teach. I want to make a difference in the lives of many. I can't wait to walk into a classroom & that room be MINE. I can't wait to look into the faces of children who are so ready to learn. I can't wait to have the certification to teach children who have special needs. The children that God choose to be his extra special angels on earth. This is the path that after a lot of prayer and soul searching that I know he has chosen for me to go down. This is where god has lead me.

While I am teaching & making the difference in the life of someone else's beautiful gift, my angel will be in the hands of someone else. That is hard for me as the only "hands" she has ever been in have been mine, a few family members, her godmothers & godfathers (Andy), and 1 or 2 close "aunties". I know that I have 2 more yrs before I have to "let go" & when I do she will be 4 y/o & in preschool... Maybe closer to 5. 5 means KINDERGARDEN... Oy! No matter what she will go to preschool, before the big K- so its coming. Its part of [her] GROWING UP. Can I have a "stop time" please?

If I could only "have it both ways"...

Now freaders... Its your turn to answer the QotD...

What Did you used to want, that you do not care about anymore?

&

If you could "have it both ways" rather then having to choose between one or the other, what would you have both ways? [don't worry about sounding selfish, greedy, materialistic, etc...]

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I just love *HOLIDAYS*... no matter how BIG or little. I want E to love them too.

SOOO: Valentines Day Countdown: [5days]

Its not just about couples. Its about Love in general. I love my family & friends-- I want my daughter to feel that kind of love, She will know how much she is loved... ALWAYS!!

Check back tomorrow... You never know what kind of shenanigans I have planned...

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli

"New Chapter"

45 days till Christmas... 46 till I move outta my parents house, it been 2 years coming... 78 till my first day of grad school.

It hit me like a ton of bricks last night that in less then 2 months I am going to be starting a new very exciting chapter in my life.

Usually I am not a fan of change but I am actually looking forward to this one. A lot of things are going to happen & change so quickly, for both E & myself. But they are for the best.

Not to mention in TWO short years I will have my MASTERS degree in Early Childhood Development & Special Education. I am so eager to get into a classroom both for my studies & to be the one teaching.

People say when you start a new chapter in life you should completely start off fresh & new. I understand the reasoning behind that but there are some aspects of my current life I want to take w.me when I start my new life.

For starters my bestfriend is like my security blanket. I don't want to start my new journey w.out her. I tell her everything as it happens. We have done such a good job staying close when we don't live close & I hope that can continue.

My family is another thing. This needs no explanation.

Other than those two very large things, I feel like I have been in a sort of limbo lately and haven't really been living just kind of going though the motions and in 46days I will begin to really live.

E will have TWO parents full time, versus getting daddy for a few days every couple of months. I am so excited for her to have that, every child deserves TWO parents that love them. I know M is excited about being a full time daddy too.

I am anxious to see how everything pans out, I know there will be an adjustment period. M & I have talked about that, we are expecting it and are ready to take it head on.

Trust me yall, it will all become material for this here blog.

Also on another note, I might be changing my name from Urban Cowgirl soon. My URL will not change but rather my blog name as Urban Cowgirl will soon not be fitting. I will keep you all in the loop. I might even take suggestions. We shall see.

**Have you ever started a New [life] Chapter? How dod you feel just before you began to "write" that new chapter in your life?**

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


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