Tooting my own horn...

“Well, it's official as of December 18... I finally finished my Bachelors degree from the Univ of Michigan. My degree is in Elementary Ed. So, as soon as my "recommendation" letter goes through the state, I'll be a certified teacher. I can teach all subjects in grade school. And, I took my endorsement tests so I can also teach Language Arts and Math in middle school.

This was a looooong time coming. Living on my own since age 18 and a full time job for 9 of the years sorta slowed down the process. But, I was determined. So, in 2004, I quit my really good full time job so I could finish the few "intern" classes I had left. And, in Aug of this year, I began my full time internship in a second grade in a local district. That finished on the 16th. And, tho I didn't participate, my commencement ceremony was on Sunday, the 18th... a mere 14 1/2 years after I began college.

My parents and brother took me out to dinner this weekend to celebrate. My mom raised her glass and said she wanted to give a toast. I asked if I could do it instead and she told me I could. So, I lifted my glass and said..."It's about fvckin' time." They all just laughed. Mom snickered and said, "I'll drink to that." lol

Tho I'm not exactly as excited as I prolly should be, it is starting to sink in. And, I'm pretty proud of myself for doing it and for getting excellent grades in the process. I don't know officially yet, but I believe I graduated w/ honors.”

“good job T, you busted your arse for this.”

“hurray hurray hurray!
you've worked hard!! i'm so proud of you. :)

still applauding.”

“took me 9 years

good job. but youve got such a cute horn, let me toot it for ya”

“Congrats! You made it!”

“Congratulations!”

“Congrats, tarabull! Now, just think of all those 11 year old boys that will be at your mercy! :Þ”

“CONGRATS!!! You definitly deserve a pat on the back! And a beer!!”

“You should've emailed me and I would've tooted your horn for you.”

“That's awesome, good luck!”

“ooooohhhh i wish i could be an eleven year old boy right now”

“tooting your own horn huh




um ... which one do you squeeze to get the OOOOGGAAAAA?




congratulations”

“Very Impressive!!!!”

“You deserve a pat on the rear.”

“congrats tara, that's a great accomplishment

now, tell us what we really want to know...is the univ. of michigan a conservative or liberal college...just kiddin PLEASE don't answer that”

“You da lady!! I'm proud of you, too! I think you'll make an excellent teacher. Do you know where you want to relocate to or do you want to stay in the same area? Decisions, decisions... just when you thought you were done, all kinds of new decisions and work begin. You'll do great! :)”

“Wow, TT is such a friendly, selfless bunch... all of ya offering to toot my horn for me and such. Thanks :-P

"Now, just think of all those 11 year old boys that will be at your mercy! :Þ"

I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to feel about that post, Buck.

Sunny - I think you know where I'm headed next... Meet me there for a beer? :-)


The second grade class where I did my internship had their "Holiday" party today and I promised I would be there. When I walked in, two of my students showed me, with pride, that they had worn their University of Michigan sweatshirts in my honor. I thought that was so special; They're seven years old! That seriously brought tears to my eyes!
last edited: 12/20/05 7:55:21 PM”

“That's awesome Tara!

Congrats, congrats, congrats!”

“Tara, was it hard for you to leave the kids? It wasn't for me this semester, I only saw the same kids one day a week. I imagine it'll be tougher next semester for me. And them, I guess.”

“Hoooray!!! =D I'm so happy for you Tara! Nice job.”

“Yes, Smiley. It was really hard. I am amazed at how much I bonded w/ these children in only four months. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion over the last couple weeks. And, the kids had tears, too... and plenty of hugs.

It's not just the kids, either. I really connected w/ some of the parents. A couple of them offered to write letters of recommendation for my portfolio, too.”

“Toot away!

Now for Grad school.........”

“Tara made so many sacrifices in this endeavor to achieve her goal. It is extremely admirable, and inspiring to say the least.

I wish I could do a shot with you right now to celebrate! Congrats, and best of luck in your new career. The beneficiaries of your achievement will be our kids!*, **, ***





* No, Tara and I don't have any kids together (although, if we did, they would be tall).

** No, we don't have kids in general, the word "our" should be construed as a community standard.

*** The latter disclaimers were for Tara's entertainment purposes only, and shouldn't detract from her day, or the overall well wishes and praise in this post.

BTW - Michigan still sucks, those two kids are stupid. :)”

“I'll buy you that beer! Bluemoon? Your choice.”

“Thanks Sass :-)

BM - Grad School is next but not immediately. I was "this close" to starting it up right in Jan. But, I figgered I'd best pay down some student debt first. Then, I am quite likely to go for my Masters in Special Education. Specifically, a CI (Cognitive Impairment) endorsement so I can work with children w/ cognitive disabilities such as Downs Syndrome and Autism.”

“Congratulations, Tarabull!”

“Congrats, what you can be most proud of is your "stick-to-it-iv-ness"! It can be precieved as a GOOD thing that it took that many years, it proves you're not a quitter & keep going to reach your goals! YAAA for you!

If you want a job in Northern CA I have contacts for you, let me know if you wanna move here!”

“Sunny - Bluemoon it is. You have an excellent memory!

wanderer - if I ever find myself out that way, I'll let ya know. Thanks :-)


LMAO, BB... at the whole post. I laughed the loudest, tho, at the last sentence. Some things about you will never change, eh?

And, of course, thank you. You've listened to me go on and on and on about this endeavor for a few years. So, I owe YOU the shot.
last edited: 12/20/05 8:19:23 PM”

“congratulations, tara!!”

“I enjoy that kind of horn tooting. Play it again!”

“Congratulations Tara, and with honors too, maybe, that's quite an accomplishment.”

“"Now, just think of all those 11 year old boys that will be at your mercy! :Þ"

I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to feel about that post, Buck

Feel good, very very good. Just be strong. We don't wanna see you on the news.”

“congrats tara. i'll finish this time next year. it will have taken me 8 and a half years at that time.
i haven't decided if i'll go right on to grad school or not. i think i will, since i need the 150 hours to sit for the CPA exam. word on that student debt. i'm gonna be in trouble if i have a hard time finding a job right away.”

“Buck, Buck, Buck... You're a twisted man! lol

ductape - most student loan programs give you a period of time after graduation for which loan payments are deferred. I think the govermental loans give ya six months.
last edited: 12/20/05 8:38:40 PM”

“Great news, Tara! Very happy for you!! Congrats...”

“WTG Tara...my wife has been teaching 2nd grade for 18 years. It can be difficult at times, but is very rewarding. I understand the importance of what she is doing everyday and give her all the support I can. I'm even her classroom handyman and can install almost anything in a classroom! Heh!

Good luck and hang in there!”

“"Tooting my own horn..."


BTW - I am not the only perv on here.”

“WOOOOO HOOOOO, GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about I get you a bottle of cheap ass red wine to celebrate at our next outing???? Heck, what am I saying? I'll spring for the good stuff.”

“Concrats Tara. Good luck with the new career.”

“Thanks y'all.

Ruby - don't spring. I like the cheap stuff!

MDS - I'll call ya when I need something built or installed, k?”

“Cheap and easy it is then!!!”

“Cheap. I said cheap.
Who said anything about easy? Who've you been talking to? lol”

“Congratupalooza, Tara! Way to go after something you've always wanted!”

“Congrats Tarabull!!!”

“Congrats, tara!”

“Congratulations! Awesome!

It will sink in soon, and you will be able to enjoy the feeling for a minute or two.

Glad to hear you are interested in special ed! My daughter has had some awesome Special Ed teachers over the years.”

“Congratulations, tarabull! I'm proud of you! Now, when are you heading east to hit the slopes with us again? You know you're always welcome.”

“I admire anyone who can finish college. I wish I'd had the foresight to get a degree when I was younger, before a family and obligations. Congratulations and good luck with the future.”

“fabulous!! that is too cute about the kids wearing U of MI sweatshirts. :-)”

“Where do we send the Graduation gifts?”