31 Years And Counting

Recently I celebrated my 31st birthday and over the past few weeks I have been thinking about how much has changed since I moved to Mississippi. I am originally from Texas and moved up to Jackson in 2017.  I have spent 2 years teaching math and while I am still getting used to it, I have seen some slight improvement within myself. My classroom management has gotten better. I am using a lot more questioning when it comes to guiding students thinking, while also having students share there ideas on how to solve a math problem. Outside of that I have made a few more friends and I am still finding new ways to connect to the Jackson community. I am learning how to let go of the things I can't control. I am opening myself up to new opportunities and trying to become a better version of myself than I was the day before.

While things are looking up, I can remember a time when I was ready to go home before the first day of school even started a few years ago. I had issues getting my teaching license and I was fed up with having to put all this work in before school even started. It was frustrating. My first year of teaching was nothing special. I spent a bit of my time traveling to New Orleans and Memphis. Yet I never really thought of Jackson as home. When it comes to dating and making friends here, it's been difficult to find people who share the same interests that I have. I had a hard time finding fun things to do around Jackson too.

Over time though my perspective has changed and I feel like Jackson has grown on me. I find myself decorating my room, meeting new people, and trying to make the best with what I have here. This weekend I spent time volunteering with Planned Parenthood at the Jackson flea market. I also spent some time with a friend eating local food in west Jackson. My birthday was fun. As I turn 31 I have noticed a lot changing around me and I often wonder what the next chapter of my life will bring. Whatever it is, I am hoping that I can continue to help others in ways I never have before. I am hoping that I finally have a place to settle down and build something special.