Working Toward a school of my own
Entering into my master’s degree program at Michigan State University, I intended to explore my dream of opening a school. I have worked in education for my entire professional career, starting with an environmental education internship halfway through my undergraduate program. Since graduation, I have worked as an environmental education volunteer for the Peace Corps in Mexico, a private teacher for home-schooled students, and a classroom teacher at the Taipei American School. As I continue to teach and work with young people, I am inspired to build an institution that allows me to educate students based on my evolving pedagogy. However, without having any formal education training, I wanted to learn about pedagogy and formally explore my interest in education. I wanted this program to highlight the elements I want in a school.
Halfway through my MSU career, I was blessed with a baby. This completely shifted my relationship to my degree program. On one hand, it meant my timeliness took a major hit. However, I also received a new motivation. The part of me that is an educator was thrilled at the opportunity to be a parent. Parenting is the ultimate education challenge! Thus I began asking the question: How can I use my degree to facilitate my son’s lifelong education? The goal of designing pedagogy centered around my son’s education was motivating. Since his birth, my focus is related to how my classes are preparing me for his continued growth and development. What role do I want technology to play in his education, and life at large? What do I value in the books I stock in his library? It further evolved my intentions around building my own education institution to a home school. I want to be the primary educator to my son for a significant portion of his education, and invite other students into that process.
Outside of my pedagogical curiosity, it was important to me to learn more about elements of school outside of the classroom. I have plenty of classroom experience, but know much less about working with parents and administration elements. It was important that I gain a foundational understanding of educational leadership. Throughout my degree program, I have gained various lenses through which to build an institution and a school community. My vision for a school and an education for my child has solidified thanks to this degree program. I have built out the bones for a place-based home school institution that would be offered to students within my community. I would design a world schooling program for traveling families to fold into the local program in a cultural immersion experience.