Melissa Carr

Edu 214

The Road to Here

Sometimes in life, we get to a point and think to ourselves, “what led me here?”
Today, due to this assignment, I got to sit down and put it into words. Writing this essay,
I have even more clarity than I had before.
In 2008, I was a junior at Eldorado high school. They were offering students an
opportunity to work towards their college degrees if they wanted a degree in education.
At 16, I loved the idea of being a teacher and technically being a college student at that
time. I signed up, and began working towards this plan. Summer between Junior and
Senior year, I began dating my first boyfriend and got my first job at a movie theater.
The summer was the best of my life, but when my senior year started, I cared more
about making $7 an hour and hanging out with my boyfriend after school than doing my
schoolwork. I worked after school from 5pm-1am, and after taking the bus home from
work, getting to bed around 2am. When my alarm rang at 6am the next day, I hit
'snooze' one too many times most days. My attendance suffered greatly, and so did my
grades. I ended up dropping out. It is a strong regret I have. I received 18 college
credits towards my elementary education degree while dual enrolled at EHS and CSN.
After that, I continued working at the movie theater for what seemed like forever.
In 2014, I got a job as a receptionist at a dermatology clinic. I worked hard and became
a manager. I was doing well for a "drop out," but I still had the regret of not finishing
school. In 2019, I woke up one day, and told myself, "I should get my GED." I didn't
NEED it for anything at this point in my life, but I wanted it. I felt great when I got it. A
part of me still longed for a diploma vs a GED, but I accepted that this was still an
accomplishment. In 2020, my husband (that same boy I began dating in 2008) and I had
our son, Nicholas. Nicholas makes life a trillion times better. I was blessed enough to be
able to stay home with him for the first year of his life. I returned to work at a small
Plastic Surgery & Dermatology clinic as a receptionist, and was promoted this past April
to practice manager. I am extremely lucky to be in this position professionally with only
a GED, some people in my position have to have bachelors degrees! I should be over
the moon, right?
I don't love my job, but I appreciate the money I make. I wouldn't say I hate it
either; but something was missing. Sitting at my younger sister's graduation this past
summer from CSN high school, I had a spark lit within me. I NEVER had the urge to
continue my education before that day. I mean, the thought sounded awful before that
day! I can't tell you exactly what changed. Graduations are always a little inspirational,
but the want to return didn't leave! A couple weeks later, I still wanted to return and after
speaking to my husband, so did he! Another month or so passed, and I STILL wanted to
return to school, so I began the process. Deciding to continue my elementary education
degree was quite the war on me mentally. My heart still gravitated towards that
direction, but I'm embarrassed to say that I was swayed away because I thought
teachers were underpaid and I would tentatively be leaving a job where I make more to
go make less. I am ashamed that I let money let me struggle for weeks on what
profession I should choose. One day after being so drained of spending my days
thinking of which degree to chase, I asked myself: What do I want out of life? IS it my
goal to make a TON of money? Was that the priority? No! WHAT was my main priority?
I needed to identify this to make my degree decision. I lost my mom in December, and
growing up she was always at work. As a single mom, she sometimes worked two jobs.
Though 30 years with someone seems like a long time, I ache for more memories.
That's when I realized: more time with my son - THAT was my main priority. The
thought of spending breaks in his school year with him seemed like such an opportunity.
It was then that I decided to try and become a teacher again. Once I told my husband,
the war in my head ceased. I knew it was the right decision because I haven't had a
shred of doubt since. It was obvious that I was still the 16 year old that wanted to be a
teacher. I want to make an impact on students' lives. I want to help them learn, help
them through struggles, help them navigate through life. I feel like it is going to be so
rewarding. I feel like my fun, upbeat attitude can make a difference. I do not have any
questions or concerns at this point, but I am sure as I continue, they may generate!
My husband and I are both in our first week at CSN, working full time jobs, with
the best two year old I could dream up. My interests include anything and everything
Disney, especially the parks! I love to craft using my cricut, and I love to go camping
and to the lake during the summer. I am very close to my extended family, and spend a
lot of time with them. We do board game nights often, which I really enjoy. My favorite
thing of all time is just being with my son. We love spending time as a family, taking
Nicholas out to new places, like sea quest or the children's discovery museum. He is
learning to talk and watching him learn new things is amazing. I am looking forward to
being able to help him in ways only a teacher-parent would be able to. Although I know
this road is going to be challenging, I am excited about my future and that feeling is
priceless. I know I am currently where I am meant to be.

VARK Results:
Visual: 6
Aural: 7
Read/Write: 10
Kinesthetic: 4