Reflections

I went to a retirement dinner last night to honor my aunt as well as 5 other educators with whom she works. As I mingled with people, it dawned on me how unique teachers are. One woman came by and introduced herself to my siblings and me, and she was a little odd. I didn't think too much of it, but my brother and sister were a little weirded out by her. I then explained that within the field of education there are very strange people. I think a lot of teachers dance to their own beat and it makes them all the more fun and interesting to their students.

While listening to the speeches by colleagues honoring the retirees as well as the speeches made by the retirees themselves, I felt as if I was with a very special group of people who I understood completely who also understood me, even though many of them were strangers. I really think it is true that unless you are in the profession, you don't fully understand what it takes to be an educator and how rewarding it really is. I taught for one year and it had such an impact on who I am now. I realize the strength, the caring, the love, the discipline, and the time it takes to touch the lives of so many children. I left teaching purely because of the toll it took on my body, physically and emotionally. Would I ever consider going back? Absolutely. I'm just not at that place right now. Those speeches made me really miss what I had last year in the classroom. I miss those "ah-ha!" moments when a child would look at me and I could see that they finally understood something that they worked so hard to learn. I miss hearing that my students love me and want to be in my class for the rest of their lives. I miss their unassuming and innocent qualities that make me want to cry and laugh at the same time. I miss the belly laughs that I would get numerous times a day because students would either accidentally or purposely do or say something hilarious. I miss seeing those children labeled as "troublemakers" turn around and become leaders in the classroom. I miss watching as quiet and shy children slowly come out of their shells and become confident individuals who feel comfortable enough in my classroom to be proud of who they are.

If I feel like this only after one year of teaching, I can only imagine what those retirees felt like to close such a huge chapter of their lives. They reached a milestone in life and were able to truly be proud of themselves for all of their accomplishments. They not only were able to fulfill their own lives by doing what they loved, but they also touched the lives of all the children they taught as no one else could. Educators are as precious as the children they teach. I tip my hat to them and hope that my one class of students were as touched by me as I was by them.