I have never been a blogger and never intended to be one. There were probably occasional times that I have written something simply because I was overwhelmed with emotions that I have nothing better to do but to write about it. Now I guess I have to start writing, er blogging.

I have always seen the invitation for the Kenan Fellowship Program every year on my email. I would always read it and often times wonder about it and picture myself applying for it. However, since I have always seen the first requirement for almost any scholarship I can find was being a US citizen I also assumed that Kenan Fellowship would also require the same thing. With that in mind, I never bothered to check so much more to apply until last year when finally we had the first Kenan Fellow from our county.

I have researched and looked into it more closely and I became more interested to apply most especially when I learned that I can apply without waiting to become a citizen first (which means more or less 10 yrs). I asked more questions and heard that it was really a good opportunity (and a lot of work), a good experience that I would cherish as a teacher (and a lot of work), and a demanding job also (since it is a lot of work). I was getting mixed messages actually about it and thus made me unsure of whether I should do it or not. However, since I heard it is a challenging job to be a Kenan Fellow I decided to apply.

However, after bothering a colleague and my principal to make recommendations for me and after sweating myself out during the interview process , I decided to back out of the application due to some family issues and conflict of schedule. I emailed Randy and told him about my intentions and why. Lisa emailed me back and told me that it is ok and that the committee understands and that I should apply next year. That was Thursday, April 17 when I sent the email. I received the notice from the mail that I was accepted for the fellowship, two days after. I felt so bad and disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to do it and I was wondering why they have to send the mail when I already told them about my plans. It wasn’t really a very good feeling since I knew in my heart that I wanted to do it. It was easier to give it up when I did not know I was accepted.

I noticed however that the dates on the calendar I was given during the interview and that on the letter of acceptance were not the same. I thought there might be a way for me to still do it and still be with my family. I emailed Randy to find out the real dates, talked to Lisa eventually and she finally told me that we can work it out as long as I attend the required dates. Yes! Finally! That was the only time I was able to celebrate and smile and say “Yes! I’m in!”

I am now so looking forward to this new adventure. I would like to make new connections, new friends, new experiences to help me as a teacher and as a person at the same time. I would like to provide opportunity for my students too by becoming a better teacher for them, fully equipped and ready to be a good mentor and guide as they move through their educational journey with me.

I know that this year will be challenging for me. I have just been chosen as the Teacher of the Year for my school two weeks ago and I know that there will be more expectations and more opportunities and also more learning experiences coming my way.

Well I guess, I got what I asked for. Ok then, bring it on!

🙂