I Finished My First Semester of Teacher Certification at Northeastern Illinois University This Week and Switched My Major

I finished my first semester of teacher certification program at Northeastern Illinois University this week (Whew!) and switched my major. My undergraduate degree is in English. My graduate degree is in creative writing. I even have my own blog, if you hadn’t already noticed, where I write to all of my fellow humans out there who take time out of their busy schedules to read my blog posts and I graciously thank you.  

However, I was told two days ago that my degrees were “ineligible” to receive any funding reserved for teachers. Wait! I thought people said they needed teachers!??! I thought that the basics do not change and people needed English majors?!?!

Apparently not.

After I got over my initial shock, I consulted with AI about my dilemma. AI suggested that I switch my major. I did not grow up with AI. However, I noticed this past semester that a lot of these younger, newer students frequently run to AI for problems they may have. The new digital revolution has taken some time for me to get used to, but I will admit that in the middle of the night as I worried about my current circumstance, it was most comforting to have my problem solved by AI as well.

I then spoke to fellow classmates who had undergone the same issues and shared their experiences with me. I must add that it was better talking to humans who went through an experience similar to my own than computer software that is supposed to simulate human intelligence for guidance with my most decidedly human issue.

So, I switched my major to special education, which seemed to please the financial aid staff at NEIU as well as the U.S. Department of Education. At least for now anyways. .  .It is just as well with my background as a nurse and my work with my Whitney Young High School patient/student.