Teacher Training in the Summer-80 hours in 2 weeks

Let’s talk about being a dedicated teacher. Who else would give up two weeks of their summer to study topics such as: aeronautics, electrical circuits, chemistry, and physics?

Yes, me, and apparently 30 other people. And, there are another 80+ others that are here studying even more complicated topics.

I am at Project Lead the Way’s summer institute at the University of Texas at Tyler. Over the next two weeks I will receive 80 hours of professional development so that I can be certified to teach the Gateways to Technology Advanced course to middle schoolers.

But, I think I am the only person here who is 5 months pregnant. I haven’t really played the pregnancy card—unless I am at home with my hubby. I also haven’t really started to look pregnant until the last few weeks. Today, I am feeling pregnant.

I drove by myself to Tyler, TX. Tyler is about a 5 and a half hour drive from my house. It is a place that I had never heard of before I became a Gateways to Technology Teacher.  Last year, (yes, this is my second summer here) driving to Tyler was a complete disaster. I had a GPS and an Iphone—and I made one wrong turn and neither was working/getting a signal. It was by the grace of God that I made it to Tyler. No Joke. I was so stressed out. Then, when I finally got to Tyler, I could not find the university.  I was in tears multiple times on that trip.

This year, I stressed about the drive all weekend. When I had a “bad” look on my face, hubby knew that I was stressing. To avoid the issues I had last year, he hand wrote me directions on how to get to Tyler.

 I am proud to say that I did not get lost.

I made multiple stops along the way. I kind of had to, since my pregnancy urge to pee was constant.

I made it into Tyler by 12:30 and I even had time for lunch. I found a Schlotzky’s Deli, and it was absolutely delicious. I was glad to find out that many of the people I met last year are here again this year! I am so happy that I don’t have to do this all by myself.

It is not easy. These trainings are very challenging. It is a lot to be away from home for two weeks.

But, I know that I can do it—5 months pregnant or not.

I will keep you posted on all that I learn in these next two weeks!