Going Back to School

This is a narration of my experiences while going to college to become a teacher.  I worked as an educational assistant, custodian, and bus driver.  Marilyn King

Going Back to School

 

    At the age of 33 I divorced my husband and decided to go back to school. I worked as an educational assistant for 7 years. After talking to Mrs. Neet, a first grade teacher, I decided to become a teacher. Marge commented, “Where else would you be in five years?” So I made the decision to start at Lane Community College, but going back to school was tough. I was a mother and I had to continue to work to support my 2 sons. Another hurdle for me to over come was being an older student. I was the first in my immediate family to go on to college. This was all new territory for me and Imy confidence was low. I got some counseling to help me adjust with the heavy burden of being a single parent and going back to school.

    My first mid-term that I took was in films as literature. I received my first exam back and I had a D grade. I was devastated and embarrassed beyond words. I went back to my counselor for support and suggestions to help me through this process. Her suggestions were to find some friends to study and connect with.

    The next class we had I searched the room to find some possible candidates that would make good friends. During the break, of a 3 hour class, I walked up to two ladies and the first words out of mouth were, “How old are you?” They replied, “Well I am 40 and the other said that she was 38 years old.” I let them know how excited I was that they were older than me. I am very lucky that they continued to talk to me. Most women do not like to reveal their age and then be reminded that they are older than someone else.

    Their names were Sharon and Linda. Sharon told me that she would save a chair close by her.
I was blessed with an opportunity to get to know one of these ladies very well. Sharon and I developed a friendship for life. She continued to save a spot for me and we got together to sign up for our classes. Sharon was studying to become a teacher also. We spent a lot of time together to study and work on projects. As older students, we needed to be front and center. Sharon would say to me write that down as I was the official note taker. When the instructor assigned projects, Sharon would say “We need to get together this weekend to get started on that project.” If we needed to work with a student for a class we asked to work with some of the students out at Marcola Elementary.  Having a study buddy helped improve my grades, as I graduated with honors. One weekend night we were at school working on a project until 3 a.m. The neighborhood watch came by to check on us to make sure that we were not breaking and entering a school that early in the morning.

    Sharon’s friendship helped me get through school. She was the supporter and encourager that I needed at that time in my life. My ex-husband was the complete opposite he didn’t work and he certainly wasn’t motivated to work. Sharon was as driven individual who set her goals high and worked hard to attain them. I was ready to do the work to better my situation. We were two peas in a pod, as we complemented each other. I had my strengths and Sharon had hers. I would jot down any thought that came to mind and Sharon would mold it to make it concise and direct. I would be the calm in the storm; Sharon was always stressed with every assignment There were many times that Sharon would get the final flue, I eventually got better and didn’t get the final flue as often.

While going to school at night and working as an educational assistant during the day I was burning the candle at both ends. My day started at 6:00 am and I didn’t get to bed much before midnight. A job opened up for a four hour custodian and substitute bus driver at Marcola Elementary. I applied for the position. I will never forget the principal who interviewed me. He asked “Why do you want to be a custodian, isn’t that beneath you?” I informed him that I didn’t think that it was beneath me as I would earn more money.  I would be able to take classes during the day and work as a janitor at night. Once he understood my reasons he gave me the job. The hours changed and I wasn’t having to stay up as late. This really helped me as a single parent. During the summers as an EA I didn’t have income. I had to get welfare help during the summers. Getting this job meant that I had income for the summer months and throughout the year. The only drawback was that I had to learn how to drive a school bus. I studied and took the test. “I passed!” I had the credentials to drive bus, but I had hoped that I wouldn’t have to drive it very often. I was a substitute driver. This has got to be the worst job I had to do. Many students would react unfavorably when they saw me at the wheel. You see the first time that I drove the bus; I scratched the side of the other bus with the mirror on my bus. I almost went off into the ditch once. Driving a bus in the countryside meant that there were very small areas to turn around in. I also didn’t know the stops, so often I would drive by the students that I was to pick up. One Christmas vacation I had to drive the bus for a bus driver who was sick. So I got behind the wheel of the bus and started the route. I was so upset when the bus broke down on Marcola Road and Howard. I had to get on the CB and ask for help from log truck drivers.  This was necessary to get a message back to school that I was broke down with a bus load of kids. The superintendent of Marcola School drove right on by me and didn’t stop to see if I needed help. Finally another bus driver came and got us. I learned later that they knew that this bus had mechanical problems. I managed to keep this job for 5 years.
    This did help me raise two sons and get through college with an Elementary Teaching Certificate. Needless to say, “If I can drive a bus I can do anything.”  You could say that I walked a mile in the educational assistant, custodian, bus driver, and finally a teacher’s shoes. I choose not to fill the principal’s shoes.

 

Comments

[Deborah Handman]

Marilyn,
Your experience is so inspiring. You've had such an interesting experience and worn so many hats. I really enjoyed your presentation and know that your kids are lucky to have you.