When I was 7 I fell in love. I mean, I loved my parents, I liked my siblings most of the time and I ADORED my baby sister, and in my second grade mind I loved Jesus. But this was different. I fell in love - with my second grade teacher. I still remember what our cIassroom looked like, I remember some of my classmates, and I remember that I loved Miss McClung - so much I decided to be a teacher when I grew up.
In all the years since, my lifelong goal has never changed. I worked with kids at church, I babysat kids in the neighborhood, I played school with my brothers and sisters (they weren't happy about that) and I knew someday I would be a teacher.
And I have been. For the last 36 years I have taught school. (I know, I know, I don't look that old.) But seriously, I have loved my job. I might not have always been the best teacher - but I have been the best that I know how to be. I have tried to keep up with new trends, not be afraid to try new things, and love learning from my colleagues. I love buying new "stuff" for my classroom. I love new crayons, pens, markers, Post-It notes, and reams of paper. I love new textbooks and the excitement of the first day of school.
I have taught so long I have had children of former students, and grandchildren of former students. I have students I will never forget and students who have touched my life in amazing ways. I have had the privilege of having all the siblings in a family. I have seen students grow up to be wonderful parents, and follow wonderful career paths. It has been a very rewarding 36 years. I have made fabulous friends that I work with, who have shared their lives, as they have shared in mine.
For the last few months, however, I have agonized over how much longer will I do this job? And the answer is - not much. I am going to retire at the end of this school year.
So, what comes next? That is what scares me a bit. I have worked in some form or other since I was junior high school. What will I do with all my free time? Should I write the great American novel? (ha ha - although at one time I thought that was something I might want to do) Will I take classes and find a new interest? Will I find another job/career? I do know that I have a room at my house I need to redecorate, and I love to travel - and now won't be tied down to school vacations, personal days, or summer vacation. I have 300 books on my Kindle that need to be read, I hope to have grandchildren to rock and love on.
In the meantime, I am going to make the rest of this year the best it can be. I am going to go to work every day and enjoy the students that are my "kids" this year. I am going to enjoy the friendships I have in my workplace, and I am going to continue to love my job.
What comes next? I don't know, but that's okay. It will be great.
And there will be a party to celebrate!!!!!
