Even while I was half way through the educational process of getting my AYA teaching license, I still wasn't sure I wanted to be a teacher. I don't really think I came to realize being a teacher was what I wanted until towards the end of my student teaching.

My cooperating teacher was out sick that day and the principal couldn't find a sub, so I was in charge of the class the whole day. I actually enjoyed it. It gave me a taste of what it would be like to have my "own" classroom. It was near Halloween and I had fun and exciting lessons planned and I knew the kids would enjoy class. Towards the end of the day, one of my students showed up crying from an incident that happened in his earlier class. We sat and talked a few minutes before class and by the end, he was all smiles. He came back at the end of the day and thanked me for cheering him up and he continued to express how my class always "makes him feel better... makes him feel warm..." At that moment, I realized I not only wanted to be a teacher, but was meant to be a teacher. I made it my career goal to always have a classroom that, for 50 minutes a day, the student feels better, warm and safe. I wanted to create that sanctuary for everyone that stepped into my room.

When I got my job with the online school, I was hesitant because of this very reason; how can I create a place where children feel safe, when that "place" is a computer screen and a mouse?....