I don't know much but I know I haven't written anything in a really long time. I'm growing weary of my routine and laziness. I am excited to work with NBC as a photographer, to photograph a wedding in April, to HOPEFULLY pick up some more photo work... but the lifestyle of a freelancer is so tough, and I'm so excited to embark, finally, on to this new optimistic looking path. And excited to share.
There's something about my energy around kids that is so remarkable. It's something I can't explain, but when I'm around a child, I'm lit up like a firecracker. Their curious eyes, funny ways of explaining the new world around them, their enthusiasm, it is a amazing thing and it sparks something in me.
Working on and off with kids my whole life has been great - but now I'm in the decision making process. Who or what do I want to teach? Do I want to teach young ones or pre-teens? Or run a day care? What age group? What about special education?
All of these things have run through my mind in the last couple months. Ever since I was visiting my cousins in Georgia for the holidays. I was so excited to meet their little ones. EVERY single relative was saying to me, why aren't you working with kids??? And a light bulb went on over my head. I've been consistently passionate about my love for working with children, why am I not doing something about this? Why have I not seen this before while struggling for the last 6 years to figure out who I am and what I will do??
Thanks to my roommate, I discovered Citizen Schools, an after school program for a low-income middle school. They require citizens, like me, to come in and teach a class... an "apprenticeship."
Tuesday I pitched a Photography apprenticeship to the students. The 6th graders will decide by the end of this week whether they want my class, or some other amazing volunteers class. I'll be teaching once a week for the next ten weeks. Starting Tuesday. I want to scream with excitement and I kind of also want to throw up. I'm a little nervous. Will teaching be my thing?? Will I succeed in inspiring kids in a classroom setting? We'll find out!
But what better way to discover than by doing?
Tomorrow morning I'm observing a special education class. Another roommate of mine told me her Mom is a special ed. teacher, and I was able to get in touch with her. She gave me support and resources for my questions in a heartbeat. I'm blown away by the doors opening for me to seek out the best way for me to go.
So stay tuned for this struggling photographer as she discovers another road on this incredible journey of her life.
