As a teenager I placed becoming a teacher in a typical adolescent's 'never-never' land. How'd I become one? Today, I'm preparing to retire from 26 years of teaching over 4,500 high school students. How'd I arrive here? Looking back I'm amazed at how I discovered myself and my passion for teaching along with a love for almost all of my students, even in the midst of their disruptive 'happenings' as they searched for self-identity. What'd they do? How did I respond? Sometimes I'd tell them: "Pay attention! Someday you'll know more than me but along with my teaching experience, I've been in college for more than fifteen years and right now, know more than you do!" I remember Zachery in my Anthropology class saying: "That long! You must really be stupid!" I laughed: "Perhaps!" In my 're-visiting' process, I've realized what I learned from them. What could they possibly teach me? Much! Answers to these questions along with other shared experiences with teens and colleagues, become the curriculum for my tales. Would you like to meet me and my extended family of 'unfinished people' in our journey? -- Carol Miccinilli My years in college provided - Bachelor of Arts; majors in both Anthropology and Psychology (Ramapo College of New Jersey) - Post Baccalaureate Program N.J. Department of Education; dual certification for Social Studies and Psychology - Master of Arts (Montclair State College, New Jersey) - Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (Ramapo College of New Jersey) I have also been listed three times in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Honoring Our Nation's Most Respected Teachers."
As a teenager I placed becoming a teacher in a typical adolescent's 'never-never' land. How'd I become one? Today, I'm preparing to retire from 26 years of teaching over 4,500 high school students. How'd I arrive here? Looking back I'm amazed at how I discovered myself and my passion for teaching along with a love for almost all of my students, even in the midst of their disruptive 'happenings' as they searched for self-identity. What'd they do? How did I respond? Sometimes I'd tell them: "Pay attention! Someday you'll know more than me but along with my teaching experience, I've been in college for more than fifteen years and right now, know more than you do!" I remember Zachery in my Anthropology class saying: "That long! You must really be stupid!" I laughed: "Perhaps!" In my 're-visiting' process, I've realized what I learned from them. What could they possibly teach me? Much! Answers to these questions along with other shared experiences with teens and colleagues, become the curriculum for my tales. Would you like to meet me and my extended family of 'unfinished people' in our journey? -- Carol Miccinilli My years in college provided - Bachelor of Arts; majors in both Anthropology and Psychology (Ramapo College of New Jersey) - Post Baccalaureate Program N.J. Department of Education; dual certification for Social Studies and Psychology - Master of Arts (Montclair State College, New Jersey) - Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (Ramapo College of New Jersey) I have also been listed three times in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Honoring Our Nation's Most Respected Teachers."
