School Year's Eve

Another school year is only hours away, and like millions of school kids I am in a state of nervous excitement.  It occurs to me that while three whole blogs were written about some of the harder points of teaching, I haven’t devoted much time at all to writing about the things that I love about my job.  So now before all the meetings start, before my desk/bedroom/car gets filled with papers to grade, before the threat of under-performance clouds my dream state, I’m writing a little about the fun stuff (not just vacation time either) that comes with my job.  In a few months I’ll no doubt need to look back at my own words to remember how lucky I am to be in this profession.

#1 -- Teachers probably get complimented more than most people.  Young students especially can make even the plainest teacher feel beautiful and wise.  Even my older students with their sassier ways are quick to compliment teachers.  Hardly a day goes by without someone telling me that they like my earrings or my shoes or something.  It’s nice to know that even on the hardest days there are people around me trying to make me smile.  

#2 -- I get paid to read!  Everyone’s always telling me that they wish they read more for pleasure, whereas reading fiction is actually part of my job.  Every single day I get to read and be read to and when I go home and read for myself I have the satisfaction of knowing that I’m setting a good example for my students.  

#3 -- I am never, ever bored at work.  Everyday is different and every week is filled with such a variety of things.  I honestly cannot imagine sitting at a desk all day.  I never think about the things I could be doing instead, because I’m so busy working there is no time to think about other things.   It’s true that I leave work utterly exhausted on most days, but I think that’s probably better than being bored.  

#4 -- I can look and dress basically how I want to.  Being around peers is terrifying to most people, and really aides our adult self-consciousness.  I however, don’t interact with peers much.  I work with people who by nature are going to dress and look differently than me and who really couldn’t care less what kind of style I have.  It’s nice not having to shell out big bucks for make-up and suits (not to mention not having to wear a tacky uniform) and to basically be concerned more with comfort than beauty.  

#5 -- I know without a doubt that my job is important.  How many people really believe that about their work?  Even with the toughest kids during the toughest years I always get to witness growth.  It is the coolest thing to see former students with all their success and beauty and talent and know that I got to play a small part in that.  It’s this knowledge more than anything else (even those nice long breaks) that keep me and other teachers doing this year after year.  It hasn’t changed in hundreds of years and as long as teachers get to actually work with students, this partnership of mutual growth with continue.  

Have a great school year everyone!