I’ve let myself get pretty frustrated lately, all about things over which I have no control. This week in particular, I let those “things” start to cloud my mind with thoughts of different careers or different cities or moving to Denmark.
And then on a random Friday afternoon on my way to refill my water bottle, I get to see a face I haven’t seen in years, and I get to hear how a kid I taught for four years is following his dreams and loving his life and is a grown adult and he’s kind and eloquent and in the four minutes we have to talk (because I have a classroom of teenagers awaiting) I am bursting with so much happiness and pride that I wish I could bottle what I’m feeling and save it for the days I completely lose perspective.
Then I remember what I’m sure I’ve written here before, a teacher who retired about ten years ago shared his only piece of departing advice at our end of the year celebration: “It’s all about the kids. Everything else is bullshit.”
This week I let the bullshit take over why I really get out of bed every morning. I’m so grateful a student I taught so long ago showed up today and just by being there, reminded me why I can’t let that happen.
It’s all about the kids, and having the privilege of seeing the people they become.
Good teachers make all the difference in the world. Thanks for being there to inspire kids to make something of their lives. We need more people like you! 🙂