As I have mentioned many times, I have gone through this process over the past year of realizing that I am capable of doing and achieving so much more than I am right now. I feel like I am Indiana Jones right before he takes the first step across the Leap of Faith. I don’t know what is going to be there when I take that step, but I trust that it is what I must do.
I have all the abilities (mostly because I have convinced myself of it, and I have proven it to myself), but I just need to take that first step and do what I haven’t done in the past: follow through.
So now I have realized the value that I can bring to the world. Now I realize that I have so many more skills than I even know what to do with and that could fit into one job category. Here I go to list them:
I am a helper, a teacher, a coach, an encourager, a writer, and an editor.
My passion is writing curriculum. I love breaking down large pieces of complicated information into easy to follow steps that anyone can follow: from the people who think they can’t to the people who already think they know how. I love creating activities and lessons that teach these concepts in a fun and creative way. I can create the whole picture and the small activities. I love coaching people through this process and helping them to make them a better presenter and teacher.
I also love teaching. I realize after each time that I get in front of any class, “Hey, I’m really good at this!” I know how to manage a class, be clear with my expectations and move the point along. I don’t like to always admit it, but I have become a decent public speaker. Public speaking is my most challenging piece, not because I am bad at it, but my mind and insecurities have a hard time admitting that I have become pretty good.
I can coach and support people to get better at anything academic in nature: reading, speaking, or writing. I can quickly see their qualities, what skills they are lacking, and steps that I and they can take to make them better. I am positive and can present feedback in a palatable way.
I can learn and teach myself anything as I have done in the past few months. I had no idea how to do much graphic design, business, or website anything. Now for most of these things I used tutorials and helpful websites, like venngage and canva, but if you don’t know much about this type of technology it can be a daunting task. I have also taken quite a few online classes in the past year, so I am comfortable with navigating blackboard, canvas, and schoology as Learning Management Systems. I have realized quickly that this online teaching platform is growing so quickly that there is going to be a huge disparity between teachers who can and teachers who can’t. I also have experience doing video teachings through youtube and screencast-o-matic. Basically, I have everything I need to be an effective online teacher.
As far as my education goes, I am a Literature and Writing Major, I have a vast knowledge of American History, and I’m currently in a Master’s program to teach English as a second language to adults. But my experience as an educator has given me the ability to teach basic math, science, or any other subject that I have time to do research on. My experience in curriculum development has given me the skills to be able to break down new information so that I can teach it. And currently, in my Master’s program, I am slowly but surely learning how to write for an educated audience.
Finally, my faith is a huge part of my life. Anything that I do, I want it to be fulfilling the purpose that God has for my life. I am not only an overconfident, leaning toward egotistical, Veteran Marine, I am also a child of God, and I know that He has a calling on my life.
I started this wondering how I was going to narrow down my platform, but I think I did it. You are probably seeing the same thing as I am. I am a teacher, coach, writer, and curriculum developer. My platform is teaching skills in becoming a better reading, writing, and speaking.
Now the question is, what do I do with this?