Schooled

Being on hiatus from teaching has given me plenty of time to reflect on my six year slog through the trenches.  Teaching certainly has its low points.  Like when an angry high schooler calls you a bitch in front of a class of 31 other students, most of whom are thinking the same thing.  Or when the student you know is capable of so much more than they (or most others) give themselves credit for makes the wrong choice again.  Or when your contract isn't being renewed because of budget cuts, or low enrollment, or both, and you have to move schools for the third time in four years.  
But teaching also has incredible high points.  Like when a student finds you on Facebook just to tell you their year with you was the best in their 12 years of school.  Or when one of the lovelies gives you a Justin Bieber Valentine with a hand written note complimenting your outfits.  Or when a student stays after class just to chat and tell you what's going on in their lives and seek your advice.  Or when after a no good, terrible day that brought sad, sad news, a student gives you a hug.  An unexpected, but sorely needed, hug.  And those are just the little, day to day things.  So many of my students have gone on to achieve so many feats that have made me so proud to know them, but the best part is that they thought enough of me to tell me of their accomplishments.  From those who have had their writing published in the paper, to those who've been awarded for their endeavors in sport or song, to those who are working hard at post secondary, to those who are just lovely human beings, I'm so proud.  
So thank you to all of my students for all of the experience you've given me.  I've learned so much from you.  I don't know if I'll end up back in the classroom after my mat leave ends or not, but I do know that this hiatus has given me the distance I need to make the best choice possible.
Love, 
Mrs. Q  
PS.  Tomorrow we'll be back to our regularly scheduled fluff and nonsense.  This post full of seriousness brought to you by fluctuating hormones.