Dare to Dream

Today I'm linking up for Week 2 of the TPT Seller Challenge hosted by Third in Hollywood, Teach Create Motivate, Sparkling in Second and Peppy Zesty Teacherista.  The challenge for this week is to Dare To Dream.

I have to admit this challenge is well…. challenging for me!  I'm not really a big dreamer kind of gal.  I never joined TPT with dreams of becoming a top seller and making a ton of money (though it sure sounds nice!).  I just have always made a lot of my own resources for my class and on a whim decided to start a store and upload a few.

I definitely did not start out my TPT journey dreaming big. However, TPT has ended up being a big part of my life. Something that I started on a whim has truly been a dream come true for me already… and who knows where else it will lead!

Options:

One dream of mine is that TPT will give me more options.  I had always assumed I would be in the classroom as a teacher until I retired.  I am not saying that this is a bad thing and that I won't do exactly that but…. having the option to do something else (TPT full time?!) is an awesome possibility.

I already feel that TPT has fulfilled this dream to some degree because I have been on a leave from my teaching position for the past year due to health issues.  After struggling with constant respiratory infections for almost 2 years I knew I needed to get out of the school environment (aka. place with lots & lots of germs!) to try and get healthy again.  TPT made my decision to take a break from the classroom so much easier in many ways. Most importantly I have something to do… that I love!!  My children are school aged so the idea of being home all day by myself in our small remote community would have been a depressing reality.  Instead I have TPT to keep my mind and teaching spirit alive while my body heals.  The cha-chings come in handy too!
   
I am looking forward to getting back in the classroom a year from now but if my health doesn't allow it or if I choose to retire a little early or if we move and I can't find a job….having TPT there as an option sure would be reassuring.  

Opportunities: 

TPT is definitely a place of opportunities.  It still amazes me everyday that I have the opportunity to share my teaching resources with teachers all over the world!  It amazes me that I have the opportunity to do something I love and perhaps even make a living at it.  I never would have guessed I would run my own small business but TPT has given me the opportunity to do just that.  My dream is that I simply continue to take advantage of this opportunity and keep on learning and growing as a TPT seller.

Helping Others:

 I love that as a TPT seller I get to help other teachers.  Help them find quality resources at a reasonable price. Help them differentiate for the myriad of needs within their classrooms.  Help them have more time to spend with their families. Help them come up with a last minute lesson when their baby is up all night with a fever. Help them help their students.  Providing what teachers want and need to meet the needs of their students and make their lives a little easier is a definitely a goal to strive for.