Just the Facts

I'm student teaching in an Honors Biology class in the Hart District in Southern California.  I thought this a fitting place to jot down daily lesson plans and pedagogical lessons I'm learning as I change professions.

After getting myself through the early college years as a jewelry salesman, I spent 10 years in the financial industry.  I started off as a front-line teller and worked my way into the IT department.  Eventually I became a project manager and even earned my PMP Certification.

As providence would have it, I found myself unemployed in November of 2012 and asking myself some tough questions.  Did I want to stay in IT and Finance?  I was a decent project manager; projects got done on time and within budget, but I didn't love it.  I always found more enjoyment teaching when I could.  Through some tough conversations we (my wife and I) decided that I'd make the jump into education.

In the spring of 2013, I took prerequisite classes for the official credential program.  In fall 2013, I took the 16 units of coursework required by the great state of California.  Now, I'm finishing up the student teaching part of the program with a quarter in high school, and then a quarter in junior high at the end of March.  By the end of May I should have my preliminary credential!

I'm optimistic that in August 2014 I'll have my own science classroom!