Friday, May 30, 2014

"The Why"

The 2013-2014 school year came to a close today.  Tears were shed; unexpected hugs were received; and well wishes were sent to our students who will no longer be just "our" students.  It was a hard day...perhaps even harder than the days filled with the hustle and bustle of "end of the school year" checklists and plans leading up to it.  As the week inched closer and closer to those final moments, I was reminded of "the why."

To offer more of an explanation..."the why" is the reason I do what I do; the reason I work more hours than I am technically paid to work; the reason why I carry these children home with me each day spilling over into my time with my family; the reason why I chose teaching as a professions; but, that's just it..."the why" makes my job so much more than just a paycheck.

For me, "the why" is:

  • reading a thoughtful note on the back of a "re-do" that I all but forced the student to take; then also getting wrapped in the biggest bear hug I've ever gotten from this same student as she boards the bus  leaving the middle school for the last time
  • being visited by an unexpected student carrying flowers who just the day before was escorted (by me) to the office and being thanked for the support I have provided her over the last two years
  • taking silly pictures with extremely talented and very distinguished colleagues because we just genuinely enjoy each other's friendship in addition to the professional relationship
  • reviewing "Zombie Apocalypse" proposals and knowing that my students would survive because they know (learned this year) the best-equipped civilizations (throughout ancient and medieval history) to establish their strongholds
  • watching a community come together donating their time, energy, and resources to create an event that both entertains our restless pre-teens and raises significant funds for a worthy cause
  • ...
  • ...
  • ...
This list goes on and on...

Now, as I head into the Summer months, the renewal process has already begun.  "The why" is yet again refreshed and stirring the passion within this educator to continue planning for the year to come with an even greater fervor than in years passed.  And, it is my hope, that as these years continue to pass, that I may always remember "the why."

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