Throughout my entire life, I have thought about, dreamed about, all sorts of post-graduate degrees from a medical degree with specialization in pediatric oncology to a doctorate in history or perhaps a law degree. I have two Master’s degrees, one in teaching and one in history, and have considered many more from finance and accounting during my time at a bank to various education specialties like TESOL and literacy now that I have returned to teaching. Behind all these considerations likes a craving for knowledge both for myself and for the people around me. If I see a problem, I want to know how to fix it whether it’s a problem for me or someone I care about like my students or my coworkers. WHen I returned to teaching, I felt certain that sooner or later I would return to school to improve my teaching practices and satisfy my life-long learner craving. That time has finally come.

A year and a half ago, I thought the opportunity had come with the offer of five TESOL classes through Furman offered for free at my school. I thought this too good an offer to refuse. After all, these five free classes would satisfy half of the requirements for a Master’s in Education. God had other plans, as He usually does. In the midst of the third class out of five last spring, with God’s guidance, I saw that this specialization would not help me reach my goal and at the time added to my workload without providing benefit. As I have talked about recently, I have started taking steps towards pursuing my passion, which at the time I wrote that essay I believed to be limited to teaching history. The beginning of this current school year has helped me realize that my passion encompasses more than just the teaching of history. It includes helping others learn best through curriculum and instruction design, through coming alongside new teachers and equipping them to help reach even more students.

Thus, on August 29th, I officially started my third post-bachelor’s degree, an educational specialists degree in school leadership. Most participants in such programs have the goal of serving in school administration as assistant principals or principals. I do not have that goal – although God may place me in such a position. Rather, my ultimate goal lies in a PhD in curriculum and instruction so that I will be better equipped and qualified to help design history curriculum and aid in instructional training for new teachers.

With all the responsibilities on my plate this school year, a sane person would look at my decision as foolhardy, as something I should not have added. Although I may not consider myself sane, I have no regrets regarding entering this program and entering at this time. Already, only a few weeks in, I have learned so much, things that have opened my eyes and given me a best practices explanation for why the decisions of my principal have netted the results that they have. I eagerly anticipate each class and assignment.

Finally, this choice does not come without cost. Unlike the TESOL classes for which my district funded the costs, I pay for these classes out of my own pocket. One of the factors I had to consider before entering the program was the cost. I have an investment account, which I have mentioned before. I drew my payment for my summer courses from this account. Tentatively, I had designated the account my “House in Cash” fund. (When the time comes, I have no desire to take out a mortgage.) Yet, the prospect of owning a home does not excite me; I have no need to own a home to be fulfilled in life as an adult. This program, however, excites me. I can get behind saving for these classes and paying cash for each one. It also helped that Furman offered a half off discount on a class this fall if you started a program.

So, here goes the next three year educational adventure of my life. I cannot wait to see what God will do.