I just wanna teach.

So I have officially signed my name on the dotted line stating that I will stay for a third year.

It was so easy to sign this piece of paper. It felt right. Simple. Now, I'm thinking, "Wow, I can't believe I did that." Not in a bad way at all, but the fact that I made a decision about something 2 years from now is crazy. I'd like to think of myself as someone who plans ahead, b-ut 2 years ahead, wow.

I signed that piece of paper for many reasons, some of which include (in no particular order):

1- I don't think 2 years is enough. I signed up for this 2 year commitment, but now that I'm here, living it, I don't think I can accomplish all the change I want to accomplish in these 2 years.

2- I want to see my 6th graders graduate from Deady and go to High School. I've known these kids for under 3 months, and already they mean so much to me. I want to help them get to High School, and that will require me to at least teach for 3 years.

3- I want to see what teaching is like with out having to deal with TFA. Basically, I just wanna teach. If I am enjoying it now while I have to attend countless meetings and events that are telling me the same things over and over again, I can't imagine how much I will enjoy it when I don't have to essentially waste my time with all of that. Everyone always asks if I will continue teaching after TFA, and as of today, the answer is yes, however only one extra year. I do not see myself teaching for the rest of my life, but I also haven't had enough experience to actually make that decision. So, I'm hoping that teaching for a third year will help me make that decision.

The only thing I know for sure for my future in teaching is that I will be staying in Houston until 2013. After that, who knows. I also know that I will be moving back to Chicago in the future... when though? who knows. But I will. I have to. I love it there. Maybe I'll teach there though, who knows. Maybe I'll get an advertising job, who knows. Maybe I'll work for the Bears, that'd be sick. I really have no idea what is in store for me, but for now, I am staying positive and going with the flow.

I just wanna teach, teach, teach no matter what what. For awhile at least.

Caroline