The End of Teaching (and Other New Beginnings)

On October 19, 2007, I ceased to be employed with San Jose Unified as a bilingual elementary teacher. Today, Monday, April 14, 2008, I am enrolled in 19.5 semester hours at Mission College in Santa Clara, pursuing an A.S. degree in Fire Protection Technology. It has been a strenuous three and one half month period. I have completed a five week Anatomy & Physiology course, an eight week EMT-Basic course, and completed the National Registry EMT-Basic exam. Except for the Anatomy course, all EMT related activities were completed concurrently with my seven class, 19.5 unit load at Mission College. I have been able to maintain a 90% or higher average in all coursework. I am proud of this accomplishment, and grateful to God, my family, and my friends who encouraged and strengthened me during this intense training.