Allow me to reintroduce myself (and the blog)!

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I graduated from the University of Minnesota - Duluth with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree on Saturday! I know -- I can hardly believe it myself. The hours leading up to the commencement burst with anticipation. 

I grew impatient standing in a backroom with hundreds of classmates, friends, and strangers. I took deep breaths as we walked into the grandiose arena, greeted with cheers, bright lights, a flashing video screen, and a line of professors (of course, I had to hold up the line a bit with a few hugs). My eyes welled up with tears as I proudly moved my tassel across my cap, signifying the completion of my degree. Four years to get to this moment – it was worth the wait. 

Now what? My days as a college student and “future teacher” are over. A new era of evolution is afoot. How can such monumental change pass in a mere 24 hours? I guess that's life, baby.

It is time to bid a bittersweet farewell to the Journal of a Future Teacher name. This name represented three years of navigating a teacher education program. I started the blog as a passionate eighteen-year-old with no social media experience. Over the years, it grew along with me; through writing, I gained confidence in my voice and style. I experimented with graphics, topics, and punctuation to authentically share a glimpse into my chaotic life. The blog traveled to Spain and Croatia; it followed me as I jumped grade levels and schools. Through it all, it was a constant companion and outlet amid chaos, burnout, and self-doubt.

The blog will remain a companion and reflective platform as I transition into this new era. It will grow and change with me wherever I go and with whatever I do. It is still a comforting journal I turn to on cathartic occasions. Therefore, its new name reflects the only constant in life: change.

So without further ado, allow me to reintroduce myself and the blog. . .

Hello! Welcome to the Journal of an Evolving Teacher!

My name is Meghan Hesterman, and I am an aspiring educator, traveler, and storyteller. I will candidly reflect on my evolution as an educator and young adult through regular posts and commentary. My road as a teacher will be curvy and feature the occasional pothole, detour, and roundabout of choices. My personal road will reflect the same imperfections, twists, and bumps. However, I will learn from each experience, setback, and detour. Mistakes will blossom into lessons – detours (hopefully) into unexpected opportunities.

Despite all of the inevitable changes to come, I will fiercely nurture my spirit as a childishly optimistic overachiever and dreamer. My university offered a realm of possibilities beyond my course load: research, study abroad, organizational leadership, and the list goes on. After exiting the protective walls of the university, I will continue to dream and wonder what else I can do. This ambition will feed my desire to redefine what an “educator” can do and look like. 

As I evolve, the blog will progress with me. Who knows what will come from spontaneous bursts of creativity at 10:00 pm or on another drive back home? (I promise to pull over– likely in the parking lot of a scrumptious bakery conveniently located at the halfway point– to jot down my jumbled ideas). A quarter-life crisis realization or rant? Perhaps a potentially life-altering question, such as, “Is this really what I want to do with my life?”? A bag of practically incomprehensible word mumble jumble that will relieve an anxiety or loneliness spiral? The possibilities are endless!

The blog will be there when I fearfully enter the classroom and build my practice. I will play around with my writing style as I do with my teaching style. And it will probably take at least three years to find which best fits. Patience is a virtue, I know. 

Let me take a moment to tell you more about me aside from the blog.  

I first dreamt of becoming a teacher in elementary school. I looked up to my elementary school teachers as leaders, teachers, and people, and I hope that I could be that model for other children. I began working in an educational setting in the summer of 2016 as an assistant camp counselor at the Minnesota Zoo. My years volunteering as a "ZooTeen" made me aware of my dedication to working with young children. Before college, I worked in a variety of preschool settings (general and special education) as a paraprofessional. This job provided me with an authentic, hands-on glimpse into a career in education.

During my undergraduate program, I completed field experience in a toddler, integrated preschool, and special education settings. Outside of the classroom, I created the blog and its social media platforms, studied abroad in Spain and Croatia, and served in a variety of organizational leadership positions. I am also a lifelong member of UMD's Antiracist Literacy Advisory Board (A-LAB).

As a teacher (or a curious explorer), I aspire to spread my wings to other countries and continents. So far, I have traveled to 12 countries. I hope to visit more of South America and Africa. Next stop: Uruguay!

I adore cozy mystery novels, cheesy 90s Meg Ryan romcoms, nature walks near Lake Superior, honey-vanilla lattes with oat milk, any kind of pastry (especially chocolate), and deep conversations with friends and family. I am a plant mom and huge fan of Gilmore Girls and Taylor Swift. 

I hope my experiences will help you understand the importance of education and the urgent need for change in our current education system.

You may be wondering what to expect for future content. Unfortunately, I cannot predict the future (my crystal ball order is delayed due to May showers) or see the long, twisted road ahead, so I do not have a concrete answer for you. However, two upcoming positions offer opportunities to discuss growth and challenges at the beginning of my career.

As some may know, I am preparing the blog for departure to Uruguay next March! (I hope for a smooth ride, but there may be unexpected turbulence). For eight months, I will work as an English Teaching Assistant and serve cultural ambassador in a local school. Before my departure, I will complete an online TESOL course to prepare for teaching English as a foreign language. I aim to share regular entries documenting my preparation, departure, culture shock, and journey once I arrive. The blog will act as a travel diary with regular updates, questions, and reflections for this leg of my career.

Starting in the fall, I will work as a short- and long-term substitute teacher in my local school district. This position opens a window into different classroom cultures, environments, and styles. Until I depart for Uruguay, I will likely work between schools, grade levels, and subject areas. With such diversity in placement, subbing encourages discussion of growth and challenge in teaching! Therefore, expect regular reflection as I navigate the start of my teaching career, lessons from host classrooms, and challenges with inconsistency. 

I am also open to ideas! As much as I enjoy writing entries inspired by spontaneous late-night creativity flashes, it is comforting to plan content and resources. So, if there is a question, journal prompt, or story you would like me to address, please write them in the comments!

So with that, let the era of evolution commence! Where will the Journal of an Evolving Teacher take me? Let's find out together. 

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Thanks for joining in the chaos!