The HOURS of research, planning, writing and RE-writing my thesis have ended! I received my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction on Saturday and to my initial dismay my mother made me walk.
I dropped the $60 for the fancy cap and gown (the darn hood was very confusing) and I suffered through two hours of formal gobbldee gook. I grumbled to myself as at least 30 undergraduates talked rudely and excessively through the whole thing (I'm sure this was karma because I think I was still drunk during my undergraduate ceremony) and I almost fell asleep during the commencement speaker (some UAW guy, he was alright). Earlier in the week I mumbled to my co-workers (most who did not walk for their masters) about my weekend plans embarrassed that I was participating in such events. In the educational profession you are obligated to continue your higher education with out much celebration or a "wow! great job!" feeling. It is not really a monumental event, you just do it.
It was only 3/4 through the ceremony that I started to smile, feel proud and then finally warm and fuzzy. This all happened when I heard a loud and adorable child yell "I love you daddy!" and then the man next to me, smiling ear to ear, said "that was my 3 year old son, he is so proud". I realized that education is a big deal to more than the person getting it.
My mother has two degrees, my brother and two sisters are all finishing school and I already know that a Ph. D or specialist degree are in my future. When I hear families screaming and blowing horns, as if at a football game, I realize that not everyone looks at education as something you "just do". I value learning, reading and I love school (good reason to be a teacher), but I forgot it really is a big deal to graduate. My 91 year old grandparents furthered this discovery when they hugged me and said they are so proud I have something no one can ever take away-ever. I was so happy for their joy I forgot my own.
I can comfortably say that after these little moments I am now proud to have graduated, I thank my mom for forcing me to walk and I wish good luck to anyone that pursues their education. I have always been a constant advocate, but now I realize how important the celebration once you finish really is. No matter how many degrees you earn it is still important to feel joy in the search for knowledge...and you don't need a Stafford Loan to obtain that lesson!
7 comments:
Congrats HS!!!!
I'm sure there are more people than you could ever realize that are proud of you and your accomplishments!
(I'm going to have to dig out a letter that my Uncle in AZ sent me the day I graduated from high school. He is a retired college professor, and in his letter he included all the statistics on numbers - # of kids who actually graduate from high school, college, etc. I kept it because it made me cry. It still makes me cry. I'll have to find it and post it)
C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S!
Congrats HS!!!!
I'm sure there are more people than you could ever realize that are proud of you and your accomplishments!
(I'm going to have to dig out a letter that my Uncle in AZ sent me the day I graduated from high school. He is a retired college professor, and in his letter he included all the statistics on numbers - # of kids who actually graduate from high school, college, etc. I kept it because it made me cry. It still makes me cry. I'll have to find it and post it)
C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S!
Congratulations! I walked too. We earned that right. We did the work, we deserved the recognition.
great work! even though all teachers have to "go through the drill", it's so nice that you have not taken this opportunity for granted. now that higher education is becoming the "norm" - people aren't as appreciative as they should be.
Congratulations!!!
Congrats, you.
I wish I felt proud about my JD. The last degree I felt proud of was my BA. And both of them are essentially useless!
I know I told you on Saturday, but Congratulations again!
hmmmm...wonder why that published twice. You should delete one, because I feel silly and I can't delete it!
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