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WHO'S
STANDING IN FRONT OF YOUR ENGLISH CLASS? MEET MRS. FRANCIS!
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| Mrs.
Ann
Francis
RETURN
TO: Your
Teacher's
Thoughts Reflections on the American Dream
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TWISTS AND TURNS ON THE PATH OF LIFE I always say to my students, "Learn all you can because life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths." They need to be prepared when twists and turns present themselves. As a high school student, I loaded my schedule with math and science courses, thinking I would be an architect. As fate would have it, I turned down Syracuse University at the last minute to stay near my boyfriend--the same guy who's been married to me now for over twenty-five years. My revised career plans incorporated my second love--art! I headed first to a nearby community college and next to Georgian Court University where I graduated with a degree in Art Education.
HIKING ALONG THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Whoever said "motherhood changes everything" was right! After my first child was born, I took a maternity leave. At the end of the leave I decided to resign from teaching-- temporarily. Determined to find an at-home job, a friend and I explored newspaper publishing by circulating 10,000 copies of a small monthly tabloid devoted to mothers. Eventually I settled into the more profitable career of desktop publishing and graphic design, which occupied my time for the next five years. Both businesses gave me a better understanding of the power of the press and fostered my dormant love of writing.
TRAVELING
FULL
CIRCLE, Three years ago I returned to public education, this time serving as a high school English inclusion and resource teacher. My goals include teaching students reading strategies, refreshing their understanding of sentence structure to improve their writing, and infusing character development into our study of literature. Instead of spending summers before an easel, free time is used to work on writing my first, seemingly endless, novel. September through June is spent persuading students that the pen truly is a mighty tool, one worth learning how to use! And books are pens' worthy counterparts. Those who master both have the power to express themselves and may travel down any life path they desire.
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FOLLOWING THE PAVED HIGHWAY Initially my career followed a traditional path: student teaching at Brick Township High School, immediately followed by six years of employment as an art teacher at another local high school. My summers were spent painting landscapes and antique cars belonging to members of my antique auto club (for which I also happened to serve as newsletter editor). From September till June I encouraged students to follow my lead by expressing themselves with pencils and paint
THE RETURN PATH TO TEACHING Personal events made me aware of the needs of struggling students for sound instruction and lead me back on the path toward a career in education. During the day I attended graduate school and earned certification in a new area of teaching. At night; I sold computers for Apple Computer's Education Advantage and Campus Direct Programs. The experience opened my eyes to the educational power of computers. After a more than ten year absence from teaching, I returned to the field as a tutor for struggling college students. Working in this capacity, I realized that most students have the potential to succeed if they are motivated to do so and are given proper assistance.
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