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Finish the Sentence Friday Blog Hop #20

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Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF).  We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like).  Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses, which are below.

And now for this week’s sentence to finish:  “When I was younger, I wanted to…”
And next week’s sentence to finish:  “I blog because…”

When I was younger, I wanted to…

Believe it or not, I wanted to be a teacher. I can remember as far back as about 5 or 6 years old, when I would sit will all the books that my mom had gotten for me to read, as well as the school books our neighborhood teacher friend had given to us for me to work on extra school work at home. I would take these books and play for hours entertaining myself.

And if my friends would come over to play with me, somehow we would always lay school and I ended being the teacher usually. You would think that I would have had enough of school going all day long, but when I was younger and just truly loved it and wanted to go even when we didn’t have school. Thus, the teacher calling I suppose.

Hey don't judge, it was the 80s!!!

Hey don’t judge, it was the 80s!!!

As, I got older and my brother did as well (he is 6 years younger then me), I would force him to play school and be his teacher. Yes, I was probably a bit crazy, but I was the older sister and he very much looked up to me back int he day. Kind of the way, Lily idolizes Emma and always wants to do what Emma is doing.

So, back to teaching, this went on until I was closing in on my teenage years and then of course, I loathed and despised school just like most at this age. And my teachers knew nothing, as did most adults. So, why would I want to be a teacher or spend anymore time in school then I had to?

Well, this phase lasted into my early twenties, when something snapped and back come all those memories of wanting to be a teacher. And, I decided to return to school, where I ended up with a Master’s in Education for Math Education.

I taught for about 5 years before getting pregnant with Emma. My first teaching experience was absolutely awful and will just say the district was pretty well off and the students families were affluent. I resigned from that position, because I honestly wasn’t happy teaching there. I went on to take a position in another school district, where I taught until I got pregnant with Lily. At that point the economy was heading south and tenured and untenured teachers alike were losing their teaching jobs left and right.

It was at this point that I ended up finding out that I had placenta previa and was put on bed rest. So in hindsight, the lose of my job was for the best at that point. I have now been home with my girls for almost 3 years and as crazy as things are am so happy to have this time with them. The teaching jobs are still pretty scarce here in NY and not sure when that will ever change. But I did get to live my dream even if it was short lived.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

Now tell me, in the comments, about your what you did want to be when you were younger. Or write a post and link it up! And be sure to share my story with all your FB and Twitter friends. We’ll also be featuring some of our favorites on Twitter with the Hashtag #FTSF and our Facebook pages too, so make sure to follow. Don’t forget to grab a button and put it somewhere people will see. We’d are hoping to keep this hop going strong and continue this for a long time to come!

Finish the Sentence Friday

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. erintheirishmama says

    OMG that picture is freaking awesome!!!! I wanted to teach as well until I got to high school and realized that I would never be cut out for that job. What grade did you teach??? I've been so MIA lately. The kids have been crazy and I'm slacking on my comments and blogging. I needed a little break but I'm still reading everyday!!!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Everyone needs a break and trust me I am so enjoying taking it on the weekends now. I can tell you that by Thursday I just cannot wait for Saturday to roll around. So can totally understand and just take it easy. I actually taught middle school (8th grade), but am certified from 5th grade to 12th grade. Tried the high school, but liked the middle school better.

  2. Emily Cappo says

    I wanted to be a veterinarian, but after volunteering in an animal hospital and watching sick animals all day, I knew I wasn't cut out for it. I kept crying every time a sick or hurt animal was brought in! Hmm, maybe I'll write about this tomorrow if I have time! Glad you ended up doing what you always wanted to do…it's nice to know you followed your calling. Such a cute photo above too — LOVE the hair!! 🙂

  3. Mod Mom Beyond Indie says

    Teaching is one of the most important jobs there is and teachers don't get all the credit, respect or pay they deserve. They are priceless! The only teaching I ever did was guitar lessons. My kids know better than to ask me math related questions. If I home schooled them, they'd be working at McDonalds. 😉

    • Janine Huldie says

      Linda, the McDonalds comment just put a smile on my face. And couldn't agree with you more about teaching being such an important job. And just hope maybe someday things will get better with the economy and I can teach again.

  4. Bill says

    I wanted to play professional baseball, but by the time I was 20 that dream was dead and I wanted to be a teacher. 🙂 That one I made happen.

    Have a great weekend!

  5. Stephanie Sprenger says

    I CANNOT get over that picture! There are no words! That was priceless, and oh, Good God, the 80s! (I know I should say more about your actual post and your dream to be a teacher, but that picture is just too much! 😀 )

    And I wonder how many teachers start out wanting to teach when they are kids? I bet a lot… it is kind of a true calling…

    • Janine Huldie says

      Stephanie, I honestly had to share that picture. I wanted to put up a picture of me younger and my mom has a ton, but they are all shoved in the back of one of her closets out of reach. So, i was able to get my hands on one lone album. And found this pic. I just knew I needed to use it as soon as I saw it. So 80s and seriously I even cracked me up, lol!! And so true about teaching and that would so be a great survey for all the teachers out there 🙂

  6. Jean says

    I won't judge that picture at all. I sported that look too. Was posing like that a thing because I have pictures in that exact pose.
    I have heard over and over this year that a teacher shortage is coming in a few years because half the teachers will be retiring. There's your in if you want it!

  7. Melissa S. says

    The. Hair. Yep, I had a cut almost exactly like it, except yours is so much fuller and luxurious. Doesn't work nearly as well on fine baby hair, lol. But great that you knew from such young age what you wanted to do. I'm still trying to figure it out!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Lol, Melissa. My hair is truly so thick and full even now that I thank god for my straightening iron. Not sure what I was thinking hair wise back then, but just thanking god that I grew out of that one for sure!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Sounds like you had some really wonderful dreams when you were younger and thank you for sharing them here, Rina. And the 80s were definitely interesting and a trip, especially for hairstyles!! 🙂

  9. mrs_karenC says

    I was laid off because of budget cuts too…but I was the bread winner and needed to work. It all worked out in the end! I had to leave work early for preeclampsia, so I feel your pain babe.

    Love that pic…we all thought we were so cool and hip, right?

    Thanks for hosting

  10. Susan Zutautas says

    I liked the hair of the 80's styles. I had to constantly get perms so mine would poof up though. I taught computer courses for a few years and really enjoyed it. When I was younger there were so many things I wanted to do but mainly I worked in offices. I would think you'd be an awesome teacher and I hope if you do go back to teaching you enjoy it.

  11. Robin Rue says

    I always wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up, but here in Massachusetts, there are more lawyers than there are jobs for them, so I didn't want to be stuck with 100,000 in school loans and not get a job.

  12. Kenya Johnson says

    Awwww look at you with your shorts pulled up passed your belly button. I am glad that you got your education and had the opportunity to teach. Hopefully the economy will turn around. We need more teachers so that ones we have don't get burned out with too many students.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Kenya and this picture truly was such a blast from the past for me and kind of put a smile on my face to see what I once thought was so very cool!! And I hope you are right about teaching and education in general!!

  17. Kera says

    LOL that photo made me laugh…I love looking back on pictures when I was younger! Stretch pants and big sweaters were all the rage. Let's just say I didn't look too good in those outfits! Maybe you'll find your way back to teaching someday 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Yeah, I didn't look I looked all that great either, but fun to look back. And seriously loved the look on my face in this picture. The saying, "If I only knew then, what I know now," totally applies here!! And thank you as always Kera!! 🙂

  18. Cyndi says

    From third grade to sixth grade, I wanted to be an animal trainer because of that movie called Project X with Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt where they worked with all the chimps. Then, my brother got me all into Star Trek and pretty much through high school I wanted to be an astronaut. Coming to terms that I was way too right brained for that, I shifted my focus and had no idea what I wanted to do – try everything that interested me, I think. LOL…

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh I remember that movie with Matthew Broderick and seriously sounded like a great dream. And I am so with you on having tried a lot in my past too to get where I am today. Thanks Cyndi and so glad Disqus worked for you today!! 🙂

  19. Katia DBE says

    How lucky to know what you wanted to do from such a young age (not considering the high school years), Janine! I've always longed to know this about myself, even though I think I knew I wanted to write, but was too scared to commit to it. It also sounds like you've made some decisions based on listening to your heart and that is wonderful.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh thanks so much Katia. I really did know, but like you had a few curves balls thrown my way. But just happy I got my brief moment in the sun on this one and do hope someday to get another!! 🙂

  20. jamie@southmainmuse says

    It's funny seeing your girls in those Mets jerseys. My son and I were just talking. He's taking his girlfriend to see the Braves and Mets Saturday night and he's worried it might rain. It's funny about teaching. That's one job I never could imagine doing when I was younger and now I think I would really have liked it. When my youngest gets a bit older and I have the time, I'm going to volunteer in the classroom more. I did that when I just had one for a long time.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Jamie, even funnier is that when I was a kid one of the first Mets games I went to they were playing the Braves. It was back right after the 1986 World Series and the Mets were on top of the world. They wouldn't sign autographs without being paid, but the Braves cam right on the field after batting practice and signed autographs for free. I remember how kind they were to all the fans. Funny what you do remember! But seriously, I hope you do volunteer more and thanks again for linking with us!! 🙂

  21. The Dose of Reality says

    The first thing I ever wanted to be was a teacher. My dad even went to a teacher's supply store and bought me a lesson planner and stamps that said "good job" and some gold stars. It's a good thing I switched later because I don't actually have the patience to be a teacher. At all. I have my fingers crossed for your giveaway. Despite being OLD I still have acne issues. I'd love to try something new! –Lisa

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh I totally have my fingers crossed for you, too Lisa and I know I couldn't believe in my 30s I was still struggling with acne!! And love that you too wanted to be a teacher. Looks like great minds do think alike (even if you eventually changed your mind).

  23. Ruchira says

    oooh…look at you janine. You were such a cutie 🙂

    Teacher is another thing I used to mimick. My mom has been in the teaching profession for long thus, used to see her and pretend play too.

    Happy Friday! Voted for you 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Still can't believe I wore blue eyeshadow, lol!! But seriously so loved being a teacher and was so happy that my dream did come true even if for a little while. And yay also for your mom being a teacher, Kristy 🙂

  28. Kat Biggie says

    That picture is AWESOME!!! Oh thank God the 80s are over! I had the same haircut except mine was permed… so terrible. The mullet/poodle hair. OMG. WHY??? I actually wanted to be an Astronaut. Until my sister crushed my dreams by telling me I wasn't smart enough. I still toy with the idea of law school, I wanted to work for the government (check in that box.) I would have NEVER believed I would join the military, but that was awesome.

  29. Janine Huldie says

    Oh so true about the laws of gravity with hair in the 1980s and I guess sometimes you just know what you want to do even when you are a kid as far as careers are concerned. Thanks as always Clark!! 🙂

  31. Alana Terry says

    wow, love that 80s look. 😉 Do you think you'll ever go back to school teaching? I thought about it for a little bit, but I think it would be horrifically stressful.

  34. Dani Ryan says

    OMG, that picture is too funny! It kind of goes with my post today!!!!!

    I wanted to be an actress when I was a kid, but as you once read, that didn't pan out. 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know I totally thought that when I read it this morning and seriously can't say enough how much you and I think similarly at times. So true here that great minds do definitely think alike!!! xoxo 🙂

  36. Christina (Tina) Mor says

    Hi Janine! Thanks for linking and leaving a comment. I just realized that I still needed to read your whole post. I was in a rush the last couple of days. Your play teaching days reminded me of my grade 4 – grade 5 years when I did the same thing. In high school I often found myself critiquing my teachers and making mental notes of what a teacher did right or wrong. I'm glad you got to live your dream. I wonder if you could tutor on the side. The skill and gift that you have might be needed somewhere. 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Christina for reading the whole thing and I did tutor for a bit, but it is on the kids and parents schedules and if they do or don't need you at that point, but definitely would do it again in the future. And interesting to hear I wasn't the only little girl fascinated with teaching 🙂

  37. Melanie Chisnall says

    I think it's great that you became what you wanted to be when you were younger. You got to live your dream, even though it wasn't all perfect…at least you got a taste of it. 🙂 As for me…I wanted to be so many different things. Lawyer, fashion designer, singer, chef…the list goes on and on, lol. Happy weekend!

  39. Joan Veronica Robert says

    Hi Janine, lovely post! That photo is really something! I'm so glad you got your teaching degree, that's such an awesome achievement, but I agree, the educational systems seem to be terrible all over the place. I started teaching "professionally" when I was 16, will you believe it? Maths, of course! Then I had my physics adventure (see my post) and then went back to teaching. My teaching career is now 57 years long, maybe too long? Still teaching, but no longer teaching Math. I have had some enquiries lately, so who knows, I may even go back to my first teaching love. See you soon and have a good weekend.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Wow, that is so awesome that you got to teach from the time you were 16 years old and do hope that you are able to return now. It really is just awful here though and everything is the push for the god almighty state tests. I went into teaching to help kids learn and to try to get them to see how much fun math is and how useful it is everyday life, but that is not the case right now with how it is told to be taught by those who think they are in the know. So, I will be honest I am a bit happier not teaching right now (my bank account would counter on that), but for my sanity's sake I think until things do change I am better off not teaching (sad, but true). Thanks as always Joan and just so happy to have you join us again!! 🙂

  40. gigigirl says

    I do believe you'll get back to teaching one day in the future. It's in your genes! I know how proud your grandmother was that you had become a teacher….one of her own ambitions. xxoo Aunt Gloria

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