Thinking about going back to school in your 40s or older? I did, and lived to blog about it! Here is my story:

For as long as I can remember, this Valley Mom has always wanted to be a teacher. Childhood memories of playing school with stuffed animals and my younger brother were the beginnings of a dream that persisted through the years. However, life’s twists and turns led me down unexpected paths, and it wasn’t until my 40s that I found the courage to actually pursue it.

A Childhood Dream Deferred

My journey into teaching wasn’t a straight path. I guess you could say I wasn’t exactly a model student, barely scraping by with C’s if I was lucky. I faced so many challenges in school that shook my confidence and had me believing that I just simply wasn’t as smart as my peers. Struggling with undiagnosed generalized anxiety disorder and severe ADHD made my educational experience an uphill battle. I can still vividly recall moments of embarrassment and frustration, like struggling to focus on math homework while my mom’s boyfriend grew increasingly impatient and red-faced at the kitchen table.

Navigating Educational Challenges

These difficulties led me to veer away from my dream of teaching and instead pursue a career in journalism as there was no math requirement for this field. While I found success as a community news reporter due to my tenacity and grit, the dream of teaching never truly faded. I often covered school board meetings and school productions/ news and felt that familiar pang of regret. I vowed that I’d pursue it one day, but life’s responsibilities, including raising two daughters, took precedence over my educational aspirations.

Life’s Detours: From Journalism to Teaching

The COVID-19 pandemic brought an unexpected pause to the frantic pace of life. During this time of reflection, I shared my desire to return to teaching with friends, who encouraged me to take the leap. Still, I has so many worries of the unknown. How would we afford it? Who would pick our girls up from school? Would I have enough time for my family? Despite setbacks, including expired degree credits, I decided to pursue my dream with determination, hoping the rest would all just fall into place. Spoiler alert – it did! It truly does take a village to raise children, and all grandparents and their dad were on deck and incredibly supportive.

The Pandemic Pause: A Time for Reflection

Juggling work as a communications coordinator and homeschooling my children, I embarked on the challenging journey of returning to school. Despite the demands of life and work, I committed to completing the necessary coursework, including the dreaded teachers’ math class. It was no walk in the park, but I had a very kind and patient professor who helped me overcome my math phobia. And since the course was online, I was able to spend more time with my girls, often doing my homework along side them at the kitchen table or at a coffee shop. It was also helpful to be able to pause the lessons and replay them at my own pace rather than scramble to take notes.

Overcoming Setbacks: The Road to Certification

The path was not without its hurdles. Doubt and anxiety plagued me as I applied for the Professional Development Program (PDP) at Simon Fraser University. Yet, I persevered, earning top grades and was admitted into the teaching program. That email was one of the happiest moments of my adult life.

A New Chapter Begins: Finding Fulfillment in Teaching

The first day of school marked the culmination of years of hard work and determination. Surrounded by new, mostly 20-something year old classmates, I felt a sense of belonging and purpose. Despite the late nights and sacrifices, every moment reaffirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be. As we went around in a circle introducing ourselves and sharing our story, I had to choke back tears of joy.

Embracing the Journey: Words of Encouragement

If you find yourself contemplating a return to school, regardless of your age, I urge you to seize the opportunity. As I stand before my grade 3 students, I am reminded that it’s never too late to pursue your passion and find fulfillment in your calling. I’m also able to draw so much insight from my educational experience that I often share with my students who struggle. While it has taken longer to get here than most, I can tell you that having a career you take great pride in and love can be so soul affirming. Yes, there are more hard days than happy moments, but it’s a good kind of hard. I am learning and growing as a human alongside the most incredible nine-year-old humans, and have so much love for every single one of them.

Remember that the only regrets we have are the chances we didn’t take. So go forth with courage and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.