A letter from Mar 12, 2023

Dear FutureMe, At this point, you should be done with your M.Ed.IT program. Congratulations! You did it and I know it was worth it! Now what? Hopefully, you have figured out a little more in terms of where you want to go with your career. If not, it's time to really sit down and make a decision there. If you're still in L***** and they haven't pulled themselves together then, chances are, you are not appreciated by your administration and it's time to move on. Start looking at other districts. See what's available. Get out of your comfort zone and be bold! You can do this! You are worth it!! On another note, this is a reminder of the time you were feeling disappointed in yourself for not having the time to start an after-school tech club for Natalie and other students. Do you remember reading articles about inequity in STEM education? The socio-economic and gender gaps in STEM education are already visible in early childhood education, becoming more visible as education levels progress. According to the article Cracking the Code... from UNESCO, "mentoring appears to be particularly beneficial for girls, enhancing their confidence and motivation and improving their understanding of STEM careers." When women make up only 35% of people in STEM-related fields of study, there is a serious problem. Well, now is the time to take that fancy degree and put it to good use. Look at what clubs have been started since we wrote this (currently there is only a LEGO club) and decide what you want to start. Talk to your class and your kid. What would interest them? Robotics, coding, CAD, 3D printing, general STEAM projects...Be the mentor you didn't have. Help girls (and boys) see that science and technology are fun, rewarding, and a whole new way to be creative. You might not single-handedly change the way society thinks about STEM, but you can have a positive impact. P.S. If you and Andrew haven't started plans for the addition, get on it! You are 2 years away from the timeframe you had originally set for this house and you should have plenty of spare time now. Just saying.