It was 2016, and I had just had my rainbow baby, Benjamin. If you are unfamiliar with the term “Rainbow Baby”, it is a baby that is born after a loss of a pregnancy or infant. I was the happiest I had ever been and so in love with being a mom. My plans were to go back to work in August and apply for the Occupational Therapist program near me.
Later, I decided it was going to be the best decision for my new family and began the steps necessary to be considered for the teaching position. By July, I had officially been hired as a special education teacher and was told I would be teaching the kindergarten self-contained class at the school I was familiar with.
Being hired as a teacher on an emergency credential meant that I needed to enroll in a credential program immediately. This meant I was headed back to school while being a new mom and a new teacher. My first session of the credentialing program went great and I felt confident that it was all going to be okay. And then back-to-school season began.
Now, going from para to teacher in the same program was a lot harder than I thought it would be. There was nothing that could have prepared me for what this school year would bring.
Shortly after going from para to teacher, I found myself overwhelmed with motherhood, school, and being a new teacher. I was sinking into depression. I was not prepared for the workload that being a new teacher brought and I was also a new mom. And to be honest, I hated the job. I wanted to quit.
It is now my eighth year as a teacher and mother. Each year, I feel myself grow more and more and find myself becoming more at peace with my transition from para to teacher. Now, I coach new teachers and I get to share my classroom with the world.
My storyof going from para to teacher is not perfect or easy – it is quite literally the most difficult time in my life. But, I am thankful for the struggles, the hard work, and the depression. These led me to find my true self and my true friends. I also found all of you. And I cannot imagine doing anything else other than teaching.
If you find yourself struggling on your path, I want you to remember that you can make it. Take things one day at a time. And if you need extra motivation today, read this post by me. Thanks for reading!
This content was originally published here.