Words of Wisdom from Mark Twain

Unfortunately, I was judged harshly yesterday for creating this blog.  A young women in the teaching profession told me (and the rest of the world) that, "Blogging for a teaching job =lazy. NO school cares that you can type a blog," and many other harsh, discouraging things.  Now, I am not naive.  I know this blog will not magically get me the teaching position of my dreams. 

The truth is, I have created a strong portfolio that highlights my skills, I have obtained letters of recommendation from two co-operative teachers, my student teaching adviser, and my academic adviser (who recently took over the head of the Graduate Program Department at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania), I have busted my butt for good grades, while working to put myself through school.  This blog may just be extra work I am putting on myself, but I don't think it will hurt me either.  After all, it is extra work that I am willing and want to do.

At first, I was very hurt by the things that one individual had to say about my attempts to "put myself out there."  She was suppose to be a friend, and a role model for those trying to enter the teaching profession.  And here she was putting me down for taking a different path, a different route, a different ROAD than she did.  I had three choices: get angry and say rude and hateful things back, walk away with my tail between my legs, or hold my head high and use this experience as a lesson.

I decided to take road three.  I realized that not only can I learn from this encounter, but others could too.  The reality of this world is that everyday someone or something is going to get in your way, or prevent you from accomplishing your goals.  Events happen that are out of our control, but we always have a choice to take the high road.  Mark Twain once said, “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” I am taking Mr. Twain's advice.  I am going to work to be the type of person who encourages those around them.  That means everyone around me: family, friends, students, colleagues, and even strangers.  

Great things can happen when we help others realize their full potential.