Today was my last day with my students. Tonight, I will watch my favorite group of students graduate from 8th grade and move on to various high schools around SLC. Today, the name Señora will retire. For the past two years, I've only been known by this alias; by parents, co-workers, and students. And a small part of my heart breaks because I have found it rather entertaining to be known as this. I will be at a concert, in the store, or at the ski resort...and I hear somebody shouting out the name Señora.
Most people think teachers have it pretty easy; and in all reality we do. After all, I love what I do (most of the days). We have summers off and enjoy lots of holidays. I get to hang out all day and have fun while learning new things. But we also work our asses off because every second of the day, we are on a stage. Most days, I have to repeat myself over and over ~ why are you running down the halls?, what are you doing?, where is your book? Where should you be right now? I have eyes watching my every move, every moment of the day. I am in charge of teaching young adults how to behave appropriately. Ha! Me!, teaching somebody to act appropriately; go figure. I am responsible for modeling how to interact with other adults accordingly [insert your own hysterical or absurd memory that you may have of me not doing this very well with others]. I am the one who has the role to inspire each individual in the room to be enthusiastic about life and learning. Uggh, and the role of reminding Little Suzie how to be friends with Little Bobby when I know exactly why she wouldn't want to be around the little brat. I am directly responsible for how the children in my neighborhood grow up...although, I've never had the experience of watching any of my students grow up. Regardless of what other people think, teaching is difficult shit to do day-in and day-out. I give my heart and soul into the betterment of each of these individuals and expect nothing in return. Well, I am lying if I say that. I do expect a gift certificate to a local coffee shop or a small triangular box of Toblerone (that I can re-gift to Sammy each holiday season). At the end of the day, I'm frickin' spent.
And today when I was least expecting it, it paid off. After 8 years of teaching in a classroom environment. After a billion damn colds passed along from these kids. After getting f'n kicked by a student who I then had to restrain from continuing to do so again. After all of the eye rolls and sighs of disgust. The hard line I always have to hold to keep students accountable; even when reciting the best of excuses. Even after the 'fuck you' I had written in permanent marker on my whiteboard. It paid off! Today.
As I was leaving the end of the year program, I had several students and their parents wishing me luck on my new adventure. I had students whom I assumed didn't give a rat's ass hugging and thanking me for being their teacher. But that wasn't it. It was the mother of an 8th grade student. I had this student in my Spanish class the previous year as well as in my Outdoor Ed class this trimester. She stood back and silently waited until I was free. As I walked over to greet her, she began to cry. She thanked me and told me that I was the only one who actually ever got through to her son (which was an amazing feat in itself because he is incredibly unmotivated and uses most of his energy on mischievous acts). She said, I am the only one who ever made 'it click' for him. It isn't every day that I receive this type of gratitude for what I do. Most days, I leave work feeling frustrated and ready for a glass of wine; as I ask myself 'is it Friday yet'?. However, I will remember this moment forever.
And so it goes. I am inspired and have approximately 75-something days to re-charge myself; in order to be rejuvenated and prepared for the next batch of students.
Most people think teachers have it pretty easy; and in all reality we do. After all, I love what I do (most of the days). We have summers off and enjoy lots of holidays. I get to hang out all day and have fun while learning new things. But we also work our asses off because every second of the day, we are on a stage. Most days, I have to repeat myself over and over ~ why are you running down the halls?, what are you doing?, where is your book? Where should you be right now? I have eyes watching my every move, every moment of the day. I am in charge of teaching young adults how to behave appropriately. Ha! Me!, teaching somebody to act appropriately; go figure. I am responsible for modeling how to interact with other adults accordingly [insert your own hysterical or absurd memory that you may have of me not doing this very well with others]. I am the one who has the role to inspire each individual in the room to be enthusiastic about life and learning. Uggh, and the role of reminding Little Suzie how to be friends with Little Bobby when I know exactly why she wouldn't want to be around the little brat. I am directly responsible for how the children in my neighborhood grow up...although, I've never had the experience of watching any of my students grow up. Regardless of what other people think, teaching is difficult shit to do day-in and day-out. I give my heart and soul into the betterment of each of these individuals and expect nothing in return. Well, I am lying if I say that. I do expect a gift certificate to a local coffee shop or a small triangular box of Toblerone (that I can re-gift to Sammy each holiday season). At the end of the day, I'm frickin' spent.
And today when I was least expecting it, it paid off. After 8 years of teaching in a classroom environment. After a billion damn colds passed along from these kids. After getting f'n kicked by a student who I then had to restrain from continuing to do so again. After all of the eye rolls and sighs of disgust. The hard line I always have to hold to keep students accountable; even when reciting the best of excuses. Even after the 'fuck you' I had written in permanent marker on my whiteboard. It paid off! Today.
As I was leaving the end of the year program, I had several students and their parents wishing me luck on my new adventure. I had students whom I assumed didn't give a rat's ass hugging and thanking me for being their teacher. But that wasn't it. It was the mother of an 8th grade student. I had this student in my Spanish class the previous year as well as in my Outdoor Ed class this trimester. She stood back and silently waited until I was free. As I walked over to greet her, she began to cry. She thanked me and told me that I was the only one who actually ever got through to her son (which was an amazing feat in itself because he is incredibly unmotivated and uses most of his energy on mischievous acts). She said, I am the only one who ever made 'it click' for him. It isn't every day that I receive this type of gratitude for what I do. Most days, I leave work feeling frustrated and ready for a glass of wine; as I ask myself 'is it Friday yet'?. However, I will remember this moment forever.
And so it goes. I am inspired and have approximately 75-something days to re-charge myself; in order to be rejuvenated and prepared for the next batch of students.
Letter from 8th grade student
