A Year in the Life...

Nine months ago, I got off a plane in Pittsburgh after spending two years teaching English in Prague. I had very little money and no job, but I did have an inclination (finally) about what I wanted to do with my life. Four months ago I applied to the Masters in Teaching program at the University of Pittsburgh, and about six weeks ago I was accepted.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about all the things I'm nervous about, excited about, wary of. I've talked to friends in the profession and advisors, I've read books. A lot of these sources talk about what it's like to be a teacher and what it takes to be a good one. But I didn't often find support for how I'm feeling now about this intense year I'm about to embark on.

I'm hoping that those considering a program like the MAT will find this and use it to answer questions, organize their goals and what they'll need to do to achieve them, and to ease, at least somewhat, the feeling of being nervous about a million different things at once.

On this blog I'm going to talk about every step of the process -- finishing my application, what to expect after being accepted, orientation, compiling clearances, taking the Praxis I and II, the first days of class, and the first days in the classroom -- what I go through, what to expect and advice I pick up along the way.

I'm by no means claiming to be an expert -- but I do know that facing the unknown is always easier to do with someone else rather than alone.

So if you have any questions or something to add, feel free to comment. Until then, here's some background info on me:

My name is Jen. I'm 25 years old. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006 with a degree in English Writing - Nonfiction. I spent a year working at a law firm, then moved to Prague to teach English as a foreign language. I lived abroad for two years, then moved back to Pittsburgh. In June, I'll begin classes in the Masters in Teaching program for English Secondary Ed.

Check back soon!