My Story and the Start of TCR Florida!

Here's a little of my career story:

I had some help along the way, but much of it I figured out on my own!

I’d been thinking about going to grad school for years, but about 20 years into my career (yes 20!!!!) a teacher I knew at a neighboring school invited me to a college presentation about earning a master's degree.

I had no idea how to get started and that invitation opened my door!

But I still had to figure out whether the college was properly accredited, whether my degree would be recognized in New York, where my family was and how I would finance it through financial aid or student loans.

Eventually, I earned my master's degree in reading.

Here's the interesting part!

About a YEAR after completing my degree, I happened to be at a dinner party where someone mentioned how I could become certified in reading.

I had absolutely no idea that opportunity was available to me! None.

And that wasn't the only time something like this happened.

 Fast-forward a few years...

I was talking with a friend about my dream of working in professional development or curriculum at the district or state level.

I remember exactly what they told me:

"Well, then you'll have to get certified in Educational Leadership. All the people they hire for those jobs are certified in Educational Leadership."

I knew that was probably true, so off I went to pursue another degree!

About a semester into the program, someone told me that they already had a master's degree in curriculum, had applied for certification in Educational Leadership, and were completing the required coursework rather than earning an entirely new degree.

Wait. What? There might be another way to do this?

At that point I tried it and decided that option wasn’t going to work for my current situation.

I certainly wish I'd known to investigate it before committing to another degree!

 Here's something else I've learned over 41 years in education.

Looking back, I realize how much of my own career development depended on chance conversations and figuring things out as I went. I got lucky in so many ways.

After years working in the system helping career changers navigate their career development, I learned there were so many more people just like me. They were looking for opportunities to grow but there was no help for them inside the system.

Well after 41 years, my career is moving on (and YES I'm figuring it out myself), it's time for me share what I've learned through Teacher Career Roadmap Florida.

You shouldn't have to leave your career to luck like I did!

I want to share the practical knowledge, career insights, and lessons I've learned so that other educators can make informed decisions about their futures. I have lots to share.

Welcome to my little project Teacher Career Roadmap. I would be honored to help you.