To those I didn’t get to say “good-bye” to [students and staff],
Though some may say I can only claim 20 as my own this year, I would say they are mistaken. So, to the hundreds…this is for you.
To you, the ones I would see in the hallway and you smiled at me. To you, the ones I held the door for. To you, the ones that would fill my heart (and ears) with stories that made me laugh. To you, the ones I greeted on the bus. To you, the ones I rooted for and celebrated with. To you, the ones I danced with (without embarrassment). To you, the ones I would hug tight after only two days (a weekend) apart. This is to you!
You are the reason for the late nights of planning. You are the reason for the 4:30am wake-up calls Monday through Friday. You are the reason for the 112-mile daily commute. You are the reason I always smile, even when I am frustrated. You are the reason I dress up like Cindy-Lou Who and Orange Play-doh! You are the reason that I teach with a little more excitement each day! You are the reason the reason I cry tears of joy. You are the reason behind every crazy idea, and the reason I follow through. It is because of You, that I teach!
If I am honest, I cannot say that it is always easy or that it doesn’t break my heart. I cannot always say that I enjoy the screaming and behaviors I see everywhere. I cannot even say that the planning or the paperwork is worth it. BUT what I can say is that I do it for you, and because of you.
Now you may be wondering who is the “you” I am speaking of? Well, it is YOU, all of you! YOU, every student that I know by name! YOU, every teacher, administrator, assistant, or maintenance worker I see daily. I do what I do, and I am who I am because of YOU! So, to you, do not ever think you are not worth it. Don’t ever think you don’t belong. Don’t ever think you are not cared about. Don’t ever believe you are not loved!
Perspective of a Learner
See, being a teacher means you are privileged to learn new things through a fresh perspective. I have learned how to plan, how to write better, how to really use a computer, and how to manage a crazy environment. I have learned that I like tiny humans (most days) and that I am good at handling behavior. I have learned how to make people feel safe and that I am good at figuring out what people need. However, if you ask me the greatest lesson, I have learned this year, I would have to say that I learned exactly how to LOVE.
Learning Love
I never thought it would be possible to love so many and so deeply, but it happened. I believed the saying “those that are the hardest to love, are the ones who need it the most”. Instead, I learned that “those that are the hardest to love, are the ones that make it worth it”! I believe my students and fellow staff were actually the ones teaching me this, more than I ever taught them! So, I truly thank all of you!
It is sad that I didn’t get to say a formal “good-bye”. I will miss out on seeing you achieve your end-of-the-year awards. I will miss out on the final hug. I can’t give the gifts and the wisdom I wanted you all to know! That will be my only sorrow through this difficult time. But if I am to really reflect on this school year, I think I did the most and the best that I know how, because I hope you finally learned the lesson I wanted you to walk away with. LOVE.
If you are reading this, know that you are part of the “you”. Know that I couldn’t have made it through this year without you!
