We were lucky to catch up with Sharon Sharifi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sharon , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Five years ago, I decided that after the birth of my second daughter, that I wanted to take the risk of writing my own book. I leaped at the chance to take this risk because I want to prove to my girls to try something new. If it doesn’t work, then try again. But you will never know until that risk is taken. I have been a teacher for over 18 years. It is my safety net. Then I decided to try my hand at fashion blogging, which afforded me some amazing opportunities. I did that for 9 years, but then life got in the way and my perspective changed. My newest risk is self publishing my book on short stories of all the things I have experienced in my years of teaching. Writing has always been in the background of my life, whether through journaling daily or teaching my students the craft of writing.
Sharon , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Sharon Sharifi. I am a teacher, mother, wife, daughter, aunt, sister and friend to many wonderful people in my life. Teaching for 18 years has afforded me the opportunity to teach many students the love of writing. Of course, teaching has also afforded me the opportunity to experience some very interesting things!
Hence the idea was born to write a book about all the funny (and not so funny) experiences I have had.
I feel that whether your a novice teacher or a seasoned veteran, this book will be perfect for you!
Teaching, especially during a pandemic, is a Herculean task that cannot be done alone.
“Why the ______(Insert Word Of Your Choice) Did I Become a Teacher?” will help all teachers feel like they have an understanding friend while working in this demanding profession.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
My generation was always told: go to school, choose a career, get married, have a family and you will be successful. Well, I did follow that path but I always felt like why does it only have to be one career path? Why can’t you explore other options? I started teaching at 21 years old, became a fashion blogger at 30, and am now writing a book at 39, all while teaching full time. Life threw a couple of curve balls that could have ended my dreams, but instead they fueled me even more. Being a teacher gives one the opportunity to see life through many young eyes. Why shouldn’t those eyes get to see a woman who is trying her best daily, but is also exploring her dreams?
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Two words: my daughters! Women are often pigeon-holed into society’s pre-existing categories. I wanted to show my girls that they can choose whatever they want to be without conforming to society’s antiquated perceptions of what girls should do. They should feel safe to try new things as well as have the self-confidence to break through all the expectations.
With writing this book, I am showing my girls it is okay to try something new.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @whythe_didibecomeateacher