My name is Ricki Everett. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, a teacher and most recently a student…again. I am extremely anxious about starting my first semester of graduate school. I have never really been good with change but lately I have been trying to make a conscious effort to relax and take everything in stride, easier said than done of course. I have also recently been interested in reintroducing myself to hobbies I had when I was younger. Last weekend I took a dance class for the first time in 10 years and this weekend I am going to a boxing class. I was always really athletic growing up and honestly enjoyed doing so many things that I have not made time for in a while. One thing I did realize while being in a brand new dance class is how shy I actually am. I felt so uncomfortable. I had to remind myself that being uncomfortable because something is new again is not a bad thing to feel. It is not something I have to avoid or run from, but rather accept and invite in. That is what I am now telling myself about my higher education journey as well.
I am the oldest of 4 girls and feel as though that statement reflects my personality in the most honest way. If you were to ask my sisters what kind of person I was they would definitely say I am serious, strong, structured, private and maybe even a bit bossy. That would not exactly be a lie. My grandma always says “Bossy parents make bossy kids” and although she meant it as more of a dig to my mom; I have to admit the shoe fits. What my family probably do not realize is how much I love them and how responsible for them I feel. A lot of what I do is to make my mom proud and I am constantly ensuring that the choices I make reflect those of a good role model for my sisters. The hard exterior I give off is nothing more than a girl that strives to be the best she can be for the people she loves, which I can admit does not make me the most warm and fuzzy person.(Its a work in progress lol)
I wholeheartedly think my personality is what led me to teaching. I really cannot see myself doing anything else. I feel like when I tell people I am a teacher they immediately assume I am warm and fuzzy and spend my days singing nursery rhymes. In reality, I am gearing up everyday to take on the scariest enemy of them all… middle school kids. Whats interesting about me is the oddest things warm my heart and make me love what I do. Yes, I find the cute and fuzzy moments adorable but what really tugs at my heart strings is having the student the everyone has labeled as “bad” or “a waste of time” and I look at them and see nothing but someone who needs someone that cares about them. I love the growth I see in them and building relationships in the most unexpected ways. I am always the teacher, leader or counselor that gravitated towards the kids that were “more difficult” and in turn I am labeled crazy for preferring that child. But its something about them that I cannot help but see all the potential in the world. It takes an intelligent child and big personality to be the most difficult in a classroom.
I wanted to be a part of this master program to match my skills with my heart, be someone that my family can be proud of, and most importantly prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to . I have been so nervous about teaching full time, going back to school, and integrating that all in my “very much still 24 years old” social life. I often forget that I have accomplished difficult things before. I have overcome obstacles before and I do not need to be intimidated by anything.