I remember hearing veteran teachers talking about which year would be their last. They would talk about traveling to Jeff City to meet with someone who would help them determine the best time for retirement. I always thought to myself, "I don't need to pay attention to this. That is SO far away." Now, I'm the one that is initiating those conversations.
I had the best surprise tonight. My classroom had become pretty crowded. I was handing out the syllabus and talking to the parents. A family of five approached me. I handed them the paper and just kept right on talking. I noticed the dad had his ballcap pulled down rather low. The mom had the sweetest face and I was primarily talking to her. When I got a closer look, I realized the dad was a student that I had in the third grade, during my second year of teaching!! I know that teachers are not supposed to have favorites. And as far as how my students are treated in class, I really feel that I don't give uneven amounts of instructional attention to any students. But, this guy won my heart when he was eight years old. He just had the neatest personality. He was so well-rounded, and strived to do his best in everything. Joey had run across him in the work place a few years back and told me that Paul had said to tell me hi.
The face that smiled at me tonight was the same face of that eight year old all those years ago. He gave me a big hug and told his kids that I had been his favorite teacher. Seeing a former student who is "all grown up" with a family of his own gave me the kick-start I needed to start yet another school year!! More and more I run into former students who are now raising families and holding down steady jobs. And I'm always so proud of them.
So, yet another math problem: how many students have I taught throughout my years? Well, give me a minute......14 years of elementary school (14x25) and eight years of middle school 8(6 hours x 25 students). 1550 kids????? Can that be right? (somebody check my math!!) That's a pretty daunting thought. That's like the size of a small town!!! So, if I make it the full thirty years, that gives me a grand total of 2750 students that I have taught. How many of those did I screw up??? Hopefully, none, but you just never know!!
I can honestly say I love my job. It definitely never gets boring. And I teach with some of the most caring people in the world. Every single staff member is a Christian. It makes such a huge difference!!! I can safely say this will be the place of my retirement. I never dread going into work and the adults have just as much fun as the kids!! And I'm happy to say that once again, our students achieved the highest test scores of any school in our Mineral Area Conference. Happy Staff = Student Success. That's one equation I know I got right!!
So, I think I've figured it out now. This Thursday will mark my 23rd first day of school as a teacher. I still get excited for it. I'm still looking for new ways to improve upon my teaching. And even more importantly, I love picking out my "first day of school" outfit!!
Deuteronomy 15:10 NIV
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
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