-: Having a solid grounding by being in the classroom,
being a teacher full-time for a few years, really does
prepare yourself, but to remember that even when you're
in the classroom, to not just be focused on the day to day,
but really kind of think big, and think about the vision
of what the field of education will change into.
Stay in tune, read a lot of news and blogs,
and other innovative practices
that are happening, go to conferences.
It takes a lot of energy to stay connected in that way,
but it's worth it.
I think those are the opportunities that will lead
to new and imaginative things.
I mean I do really believe that a liberal arts experience
prepares you to be an articulate speaker,
to be able to work with other people, to have a quick mind,
and be really fast to learn new things,
and these are all really good skills in a more fluid
career path, which is one that I've had.
When I was in college, I actually intentionally
branched out quite a bit.
I was an Asian studies major,
but that's inter-disciplinary in nature,
and I challenged myself to try to take classes
from as many departments as possible.
So I know a little bit of economics, I know a little bit
of political science, I know a little bit of history,
psychology, neuro science, like all of these things
I have some exposure to, which lends itself really well
to being a secondary educator, because students are
interested in a variety of things at a very shallow level.
I mean I do have a little bit of expertise
in certain disciplines more than others obviously,
but I think that breadth of knowledge
has also really prepared me to be a good mentor.