
Being a teacher right now can be overwhelming. There is a lot going on, a lot to hear, and so much to think about. With that being said, I keep finding myself going back to the classroom, even after days when I say, “That’s it.”
I have not returned to full time teaching but I have been substitute teaching for almost two years now. I keep committing to a bit longer jobs, a little bit more responsibility. I feel very fortunate that I am able to wade back into the waters at my own pace.
Last year I canceled going on a trip to a tropical resort with my husband to take a long term substitute teaching position. After that position ended I told my husband to remind me of the difficulties and how tired I was if I was considering another position.
This summer I am going to miss our annual vacation with our friends so that I can teach summer school. Oops, I did it again!
“ Why?” I ask myself this and I get asked this by others.
I think what keeps me coming back is my love for teaching and the opportunity to build a good day with the students and the feeling that comes from that.
What can I bring that will help us do that?
What are they expecting when I walk in?
What do I want to feel while I am there?
After a tough day I start asking myself those questions and all the possibilities are still there.
I need to bring enthusiasm. I need to want to be there. I need to get them invested! To invest in building a good day. To care about creating the strongest classroom. To understand how we all contribute to that. I must provide the framework, and the direction for that. Figuring out how to create, adjust and build that fires me up!! It drives me to return and keep trying.
Secretly the Cheers theme song runs through my head to remind me of what is needed. All the noise around education slips away and I return to what is important.
“Sometimes you wanna go
Where everybody knows your name
And they’re always glad you came
You wanna be where you can see (ah-ah)
Our troubles are all the same (ah-ah)
You wanna be where everybody knows your name”
I am very excited to do what I love, and what I am good at, this summer and I can’t wait to say hello to each student that joins me,see what we create together and feel the joy of being there.