Dad's Influence

As far back as I can remember I wanted to be a teacher. Like most kids, we played ‘school.’ When I talked about my life when I ‘growed up’, I would be a teacher. Dad and I would talk about my future. He didn’t like the idea of me being a teacher. But when we explored the possibilities, he’d say I should teach a class that was an elective, something a student wanted to take, not the classes they would have to take. He, also, encouraged me not to stay in the classroom, be a principal or ‘higher?’

He always wanted me to explore other ideas. When I said actress, he said director or producer. When I said nurse, he said doctor. When I said secretary, he said manager or owner of the company. When I said stewardess, he said pilot. He wanted me to think ‘big.’ I once asked him why he didn’t want me to teach. Dad said he didn’t think I’d be satisfied, would get bored, would limit me and I needed to do something challenging where I could ‘reach my potential.' I, also, think he thought I’d end up an ‘old maid.’ He thought the life of a teacher had no social life, too limiting in life experiences (Oh...Dad, times are a changin').

Long after Dad had gone, G-man (my brother), asked one time when was I going to quit teaching and realize 'my potential.' It still amazes me the 'outsiders' view of teaching.

By the time I was ready for college, the idea of teaching was on the back burner. I was convinced everyone was right. I needed to do something else. However, my expectations for myself still weren’t grand. I decided to continue my secretarial training and be a legal secretary (Dad said lawyer.) I did 2 years in the Business College and was BORED TO DEATH!

I often still envisioned my life as a teacher.