I really pulled it off...

I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!! I've been playing all coy about it. The fact is I think I surprised myself by doing it. Some little voice in the back of my head kept saying that somehow, somewhere, I would screw this dream/goal of mine up. Someone would call me last minute and say "Jessica, we've actually realized that you don't deserve this degree. We apologize for any inconvenience...."

I looked at my degree the second I sat back down in my chair, JUST to make sure it really did have my name in it, and somehow I was STILL surprised and my heart skipped a bit when I saw my name on it...

I don't mean to blow this out of proportion, and I do realize I am not the first person to graduate from college, but it's just such a big deal to me. I don't come from a family of scholars. Most of my family members (besides my brother) have sort of fallen into their careers and succeeded. I'm just really proud of myself for committing to four years of learning how to be the best teacher I can be. I'm still not sure I know how to be that, but I know I'll always be a work in progress and I feel so much more confident now than I did even weeks ago. I've realized that I have compassion, respect, and love for those elementary students. I have had those things since day one. My experiences at Mercer have just taken those things and added on the skills I need to help these children build a better future for all of us. Supplies have been piling up in my office and ideas have been spilling out of my brain on a daily basis. I am determined to enjoy my summer off, but I am getting SO excited to start my career!

Ok..ok. Enough of all that. Here are some pics from the big day!!