OK, so after months of trying to figure out what I want to do when I finish school, I think I have a clearer picture. Initially, I thought I wanted to do a combination of things. But now, I realize that I just want to focus on one – and that one will most likely do many things. I thought I wanted to focus on Uplift, Inc. and The Center for Learning and Educational Media (research), teach @ Howard University, and attempt to create technologies and media that support learning. Today, I realized that I don’t want to teach; I don’t want to be stuck in a classroom. I am, however, anxious to do research and build things – and impact lives by doing so! I will have to find another way to partner with Howard.
This is a great realization but it will not force me to focus on fundraising pretty soon to ensure that I can make a living focusing on research and development. So, just when I made the decision to focus on school – and only school. I have to switch gears and start to develop a strategy and fundraising campaign that will allow me to obtain funding as soon as I finish school. Hopefully, this will be no later than May 2011. I’ve got two years to figure it out.
I’m excited!
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September 29th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Hi Leshell -
Great site! We have a lot of similar interest and I went through a similar dilemma – what do I want to do when I graduate!!?? I have so many interests (and talents!). I ended up choosing to work at the Pgh Science & Technology Academy (www.pghscitech.net). This year I’m developing curriculum, but I very much work with students on a daily basis. Next year I will teach 1 class each quarter, and year 3 I will be at full load with 2 classes per quarter. I’m finding my experience in the classroom with middle and high school students and teachers a very valuable experience. I doubt I will stay (just) a public school teacher forever. FYI: I am the Director of a pre-college program in the Computer Science Department at Pitt (www.cs.pitt.edu/tli) Over the past several months, I’ve contemplated future endeavors in educational technology, starting a charter school, being a principal/administrator and much more. One major advantage is that I work with people at Pitt and CMU on a regular basis, because of the unique nature of this school and I have the flexibility in my work schedule to have outside endeavors (as most teachers do). And actually, I am doing research (which is one of the reasons I accepted this position) – I am a PSLC (www.learnlab.org) fellow through my school.
So even though you may not plan to be in the classroom for an extended period of time, I’m sure there is somewhere special for your talents in a school district … somewhere
It will be very worthwhile.
Just my few cents.