Back to the Grind

We're back at school this week prepping classrooms before the kiddos come back next week, and I've been reflecting a lot on teaching as a career recently. If you'd asked me five years ago when I started this journey, I probably would have told you that I didn't see myself staying in the classroom for that long before I transitioned into some sort of policy orientated position that was still related to education, but more similar to a 9-5 gig. I interned at the Department of Education and thoroughly enjoyed it - not only the discussions and debates that were presented, but also just the vibe of working donwtown. It felt meaningful and the conversations that were had were ones that I felt could truly have an impact on the future of education. That being said, I'm not naive- I knew it would take decades before the reforms and changes would actually reach someone teaching in a classroom.

When I started teaching, not only did I love it (and still do), but I realized that I have a much greater impact in the classroom than I ever will working for the government. When I think back to my relationships with my own teachers, I have such vivid memories of conversations had, field trips taken, and the desire to work hard because I knew that they were working hard for me. There are teachers that I still talk to and turn to for advice, both in regards to teaching and in life.  I think as a teacher, I'm taking these conversations, moments, field trips, etc. for granted. I don't stop to think about how twenty years down the line, one of my students may look back and recall how much fun we had or the lesson that they learned from a teachable moment.  The truth of the matter is, while I can pause to appreciate these moments more frequently myself, I'll never truly know what my students are walking away with after our year together. I do know, though, that I need to be in the classroom just as much as my students do.  It's a unique feeling waking up each morning knowing that you're truly needed - the day cannot go on as planned if you're not there. Thirty students are waiting for you to show up and get your job done. They're relying on you to not only cover curriculum, but more importantly, to help them steer their moral compass. They're eager to gain your approval and to know that even when they veer off course, you're going to be there for them to get them back on track.

Yes, it's difficult waking up at 5am each day knowing that you have to be on for the next twelve hours. Yes, there are days when all you want to do is crawl under your desk and hide out for the rest of the day under there. The fact of the matter is, though, that those days are few and far between compared to the days that you walk out of the building laughing or rejoicing over what happened at school that day.  At our staff meeting yesterday, our principal played this video for us. Talk about getting pumped up for life.

"If life is a game, aren't we all on the same team? I mean, really, right? I'm on your team...be on my team"

"Create something that will make the world awesome"

 

 

Happy beginning of the school year to all of my incredible and inspirational teacher friends! You are loved by many.