[lisaly]

I will be finishing my thirty second year of teaching in June, and each day that I walk into my classroom I come alive. For me, I could not imagine a job more rewarding. I started teaching special education at the elementary level for six years, and I loved it. When I was offered a position in the high school I have been teaching in for the past twenty six years, I hesitated, but it has been such an amazing experience. It is one of the top schools in the country,which makes it really nice (although super pressured) but I loved working as a teacher in the NYC school system, too. I work as a resource room teacher with students with special needs, but I have also taught English, Math, Science, and History. Most of my students have learning disabilities, but I also work with students with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, emotional problems, and other disabilities. I definitely think if you decide to pursue a degree in elementary education, you should also become dually certified in special education. You will only need twelve additional credits to get the dual certification. With inclusion being so popular, you will have a lot of students with special needs in any classroom, so it is a must today, and I'm not seeing many people hired without it. After all of these years, I feel that same love of teaching that I did when I was younger. The job is demanding and exhausting, and it requires a lot of patience and communication with parents. The hours beyond the time in the classroom are great. Yet I am always learning, always in wonder at the accomplishment of our kids, and am the recipient of such love each day. I have been accepted into the lives and families of so many of my students, and really feel very privileged to be teaching. I was told to stay away from teaching when I started to pursue it in college, but I'm glad I didn't listen. Teaching is one of the things that defines who I am as a person, and it has brought such joy into my life. My "kids" mean the world to me. If you need my help, I'd be very happy to assist you. I've been mentoring my young assistants for years, and they have continued in teaching as a career. You would be a great teacher, Brit. I see how you are with Jackson, and he has thrived with your love and enthusiasm. That's what it takes to be a really good teacher, and our kids need people like you. Education has been attacked by many people, and so have teachers, and it does hurt. What really matters are the kids, though, and I learn so much from them each day. I am upset by what happens around me in education, but my "kids" rarely disappoint me. If teaching is in your heart, I'd pursue it. I have never regretted it for a second, even when there's not enough time to accomplish all that's needed and still get sleep and on those rare bad days for me. I'd never call it easy, but it is a job that's always very moving and rewarding.