The past two days in Charleston have been wet. We have had cooler weather...around 75 degrees as a high, lots of rain, massive puddles, and quite a few breezes. I have spent the majority of these two days on the USS Yorktown, a retired aircraft carrier turned naval museum. Attending a teacher training, I've heard from historians, a World War II veteran, fellow teachers, and a politician. I learned to solder iron, to fly a jet, to record scientific data regarding a species of underwater plant life from Japan, and even had the chance to take a virtual tour of space. In the archives presentation, I was able to redirect the archivist who shared a tag which she thought had Japanese characters on it, yet I pointed out the Chinese calligraphy I recognized and helped her reclassify. China came up a lot during the two days, but more on that later. It was a fantastic, free, two day event which gave teachers a great number of ideas for incorporating math, science, history and writing into lessons.
During my time aboard the Yorktown, I was able to meet and chat with fellow educators from around the state. One of the common threads that tied us together was our frustration with our low pay, stressful working conditions, and often seemingly impossible situations. Some couldn't believe others' stories, where some truly empathized when they heard of tales from crypt, I mean classroom.
I debated doing this training in the first place, honestly. Free or not, it was two days of my time that I chose to do something school related DURING THE SUMMER, when I really don't have any plans to be in the school setting too much longer. I haven't written in a while, so there is a lot on which to catch you up, but with a rainy day I felt it was time to sit and put "pen to paper" or "fingers to keys," as it were.
So the China thing, I mentioned, came up a lot. Many teachers overheard me say something about my times abroad and then were curious. "How did you do it?" "Where did you live?" "How long were you there?" Some told of their contacts who had been abroad, others asked how they could do it themselves. As always, I gave out my information and told them to contact me...travel is a passion, and if I can help others figure out a way to do it, I will. It's actually been painful, these past 3 days of summer, thinking about this year NOT having an international trip planned for summer break. If my new-ish husband said he understood my travel desires before, he's getting a real good dose of them now, as I remind him daily of the importance of international travel. This girl is addicted...I'll be the first to admit it.
Regarding that comment about not being in the classroom too much longer, there are a few things brewing. Actually, I'm not in the classroom now, and haven't been for a year, but I suppose my next step is out of the school setting altogether. I love kids. I love teaching, but I don't feel like it anymore, not in the same capacity. I have felt the pull away from school for quite some time; I'd say for at least 3 years, if not longer. I will always be an educator and I will always have fond memories of students and experiences, but for me, there is something else. It's funny as just yesterday I thought, "I could leave the school and go back and volunteer weekly." Knowing me, that's what will happen. Maybe my only issue with teaching is that someone else is telling me how to do it when I feel I know exactly what my babies need, yet can't give it to them. There, I said it. Stay tuned on the education front...that's the most I can say for now.
So, what else? A little over a year ago I found a company called Forever Living. It's a 40 year old business out of Arizona which helps others live a better and healthier life. It is a global company in 160 countries, and if I am being completely straightforward, is not something I thought I'd ever do, until I learned more about the amazing opportunity. When I first was introduced to the company, I assumed it was like Mary Kay, not that there is anything wrong with Mary Kay. I just assumed it would be all sales of cosmetics and the like. Then I learned about the expansive product line, and the push to be 100% chemical free, and I learned of the global travel opportunities, and the passion that drives the owner and all those who have joined the company. These people, thousands of them worldwide, have such a burning desire to help others. I have never seen anything like it before in all of my days. People who build one another up, people who encourage success greater than beyond a person's wildest dreams, people who genuinely want to make others' lives better. Teachers want this for their kids, but rarely think about it for themselves. For some ridiculous reason, teachers have allowed "ok" to be, okay. So many gripe and complain about everything, yet continue doing the same thing day after day, year after year. It's not just teachers, of course. The majority of the American population is unhappy with their current working condition. As a matter of fact, I believe the statistic I heard yesterday was that 1/3 of Americans, 100 million people, feel dissatisfied with their lives right now. That is ridiculous, and so very sad. Forever's motto is, "If it doest't make you smile, change it." I am so excited to be a part of this movement. I will always be a teacher, in ways, but important changes are being made.
I'm so thankful for this rainy day, and for the time it allotted for reflecting and writing. There are so many goals I have set for myself and my family, and as always, I am optimistic about what the future holds. I will not be the 1/3 of Americans unhappy in their life. I believe we all deserve better than that, and even more, I believe it is possible to live the life of your dreams.
For more information on traveling and teaching abroad, message me at hesalters4@gmail.com.
For more info on Forever Living's business opportunity or amazing aloe based products, visit http://hannahsaltersglobal.flp.com
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