So for those of you who don’t really know me or who know me, but haven’t heard the scoops, here it is…prior to my career change of chasing my passion of photography I was a full-time teacher. I taught full-time for 5 years, part-time for 1.5 years and substituted simultaneously with part-time teaching. I have worked with various grade levels, but mainly with lower elementary. During my full-time teaching career, I taught Kindergarten for 4 years at Kalihi Waena Elementary. I also taught first grade for 1 year at Ma’ema’e Elementary. Kindergarten and first grade are very similar and I enjoyed teaching both grade levels. Although, I must admit I think my heart belongs to Kindergarten. I know there are a lot of teachers out there who prefer not to work with these little guys, but I think they’re so much fun!!! I love their innocence and their eagerness to learn!!! School is still fresh for them and they soak up knowledge like a sponge. No matter the age nor the grade level, I enjoy children!!! They make me laugh and they have a gift of putting life into perspective. They remind me that life can be simple and it’s the simple things in life that really matter. They also have a way of making a horrible day better—maybe it’s their cute little faces, or their innocent smiles or the hilarious things they say, because they really do say the darndest things, or maybe it’s because they give hugs out just because. Whatever the reason is, they have that gift and if you’ve never experienced it, by golly go and spend an afternoon with a child and I promise you, you will see exactly what I’m talking about!!!
People ask me if I am happy with my decision to leave teaching…and to be honest I am very happy with my decision, because photography is one of my PASSIONS. Traveling is my other passion. Now if I could travel and take photographs for a living, I would be in heaven. However, just because I am enjoying my new career and happy with my decision to leave teaching doesn’t mean that I don’t miss teaching. I do…and what I miss most is the children…and you Annie, because I know you’re reading this…haha!!! And I miss you too Deb!!! So when I am contacted to photograph a family or a child or a newborn…I’m excited, because my new career still allows me to interact with children and I am grateful that I am now experiencing the best of both worlds!!!
Don’t get me wrong, teaching is a fabulous career and I commend all the teachers out there in the world, because it is a tough job and it’s even tougher when teachers are unappreciated and undervalued. I’ve been there and I know what it’s like…and who knows maybe one day I will be back in the classroom…or maybe I will be teaching but in a different shape or form.
Life takes us on many paths. Life is short. I’m going to enjoy my life and the different paths it takes me on so that I can make the most out of my life!!! So yes, I am happy with my decision to change careers, but I do miss teaching and working with the children on a daily basis.
*** I wanted to post a picture of me and my students, but I would need to get permission from each parent or guardian and I didn’t have time to do that…so here’s the next best thing…a picture of me and two of my best teacher friends…Debbie and Annie!!! We are definitely three peas in a pod and I am happy to say that I had the opportunity to teach with both of these fabulous ladies!!! My only wish is that the three of us could have taught in the same school together and on the same grade level. Any child who has any of these two ladies as their teacher is LUCKY, because these two ladies teach from their heart and they always want what is BEST for the CHILD!!! ***
