Imagine my shock

After working for 15 years as a preschool teacher, at the age of 50, I was presented with a dilemma.  Preschool teacher requirements were changing, and in order to keep my position at my school I was now expected to enroll in a Master's Program in Early Childhood along with getting my teacher certification.  Go back to school?  Take tests?  Imagine my thoughts and feelings at the time.  Needless to say, I was nervous, apprehensive, and unhappy.  After much time and deliberation, I became a reluctant graduate student.  Five years later, I am happily at the end of my journey.  There have been lots of ups and downs during this time.  As an older student, the work has been difficult, frustrating, but at times also rewarding.  When all is said and done, I guess I would sum it all up as an experience in self-awareness and validation.