Sunrise over Haleakala volcano

“Lisa, where do you see yourself in five years?”

This interview question has been on my mind a lot lately.  I’m not exactly sure why, but it really did get me to focus on the fact that while I have a ten year plan, I don’t have a five year plan.  And so I got to thinking:

I have talked about going back to school and working on my doctorate in Education, but haven’t been sure if I want to continue with Education Leadership or concentrate on something else. Hence my “dragging my feet” to apply.

I really want to be happy with what I’m doing: satisfied, content, EXCITED.  I can’t honestly say I am any of these right now.  Sure, this school year has started off better than last.  But that’s because I have a better idea of what I’m doing, not because I enjoy it.

I love teaching.  I love watching my students discover.  I love watching the “light bulbs” flash when they stumble upon the answer.  I don’t, however, love the politics of teaching … the required curriculum, the massive amounts of book knowledge mandated at times into almost a scripted form where I can’t even provide or allow time for my students to develop a love of learning.

So what is my five year plan?  Well, I want to work with two distinct segments of the population: the elderly and the young.  Pretty broad, I know.  My plan requires me to head back to grad school and complete a second Master’s.  I’m not sharing all of my plan right now as there are several benchmarks I need to accomplish before I can say I’ve truly achieved my goal.

All I can say is this: I checked the temp just now and it’s 64* outside.  SIXTY-FOUR DEGREES!

It’s going to be an awesome day!