When a Career and a Passion Come Together

It's Sunday night, about 8:30pm, and while most people are mourning the loss of their weekend, I am slightly excited to get back into my classroom Monday morning!! Of course, I love sleeping in (I am trying to be more of a morning person... but truthfully you don't want to talk to me until I've had my first coffee), I love lazy mornings and having full days being with family. Not having to be anywhere, with no schedule to follow. 

But to be honest, I love what I do! I love seeing the faces of my students in the mornings, finding out all about their nights and weekends. I love our routines and schedule. I love having fun and engaging lessons and seeing the lightbulbs go off for my students. I love reading, and writing, and finding exciting ways to teach a new math concept. 

Teaching is such a rewarding job, and I am grateful to be able to do what I love. That being said, it is not always easy! It can be frustrating and sad and overwhelming. Sometimes I feel defeated by things I hear the public say about teachers, or see how we are portrayed in the media, or by people who have no idea what we do for our kids, day in and day out. I feel sad for some of the lives that my kiddos lead. I see students with unengaged parents, hard home lives, extreme pressure put on them, and many more hardships that ten year olds shouldn't have to deal with. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in assessments and plans and meetings, and bureaucratic items that aren't truly in the best interest of my students.

However, even with all of this, and more, I wake up most days thanking God that I am one of the fortunate ones who loves their job. It is my vocation, my calling, and I hope that most teachers feel the same way about their jobs as I do. Those are the teachers that believe they will change lives. And those are the teachers that do.