My advisor here at school also happens to be my favorite teacher. Possibly ever. I also have an enormous girl-crush on her. I remember she spoke at my orientation day and somehow, magically, linked library and information science to a quest for a late night donut shop. I was so elated when I checked my schedule for that day and saw that the stars had aligned and she had been assigned as my advisor for my tenure at grad school. For once, luck was on my side. In my meeting with her, all I could do was stare at her with a goofy, lopsided grin. I was so in awe, I didn't want to talk for fear that I might somehow disappoint.
Advisor: Does that sound ok? Caitlin...Caitlin?
Me: *stare creepily*
Advisor: ooook....I was saying there is one spot open in the class I am teaching this semester. Does that sound like it might be a fit for you?
I think I may have wet myself at that point, I don't really remember.
I called my mother immediately: "GUESS WHAT?!MYADVISORHEREISSOSOGREAT!SHE'SAWESOME! SHE'S SO FUNNY! SHE LOVES THE SAME THINGS I DO. WE LIKE THE SAME BOOKS! AND SHE WAS A CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN! JUST LIKE I WANT TO BE! EXCEPT SHE'S A HIP LIBRARIAN. JUST LIKE I WANT TO BE! SHE HAS SUPER CUTE CLOTHES. AND I'M GOING TO GET MY HAIR CUT LIKE HER. AND WE'RE GOING TO BE BEST FRIENDS!!!...
It went on like that for a while. I didn't even take a breath.
She teaches many of the children's librarian classes that I take, so I've had her as a teacher twice now. She is so passionate about what she teaches. She is the first teacher in a while, that I want to do well in her class, not just so I have a good letter grade, but because I genuinely want to master the material. She seems to know an abundent amound about children's books and programs.
And I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Except be me. I have to say how refreshing it is to finally have someone to look up to in my career path. In teaching, save for maybe one or two exceptions, I met more people who made me say "I will not be like that when I grow up." To have someone now that I want to emulate in many ways is further proof that I am where I am supposed to be right now. I am so happy to be excited about my future. It looked so bleak for a while. Now, if we can just get the economy in shape so that I can flex my muscles when I graduate.
