The Fab Five

People often ask me if I plan to go back to teaching in the classroom again when my kids are in school.  I go back and forth about it, and my answer has changed back and forth over the past 2 1/2 years.  




On the one hand, showering is optional right now.  My kids don't even notice when I look like absolute garbage.  They still do their work just the same.  I can wear yoga pants every day, and no one cares.  Or if they do, they don't say anything.  If we have a sick kid and I'm up all night, no big deal.  I can totally take a nap when they do in the afternoon.  




But then I think about my students.  Just this week, some of my 5th grade students, who are now in high school, were featured in a local news article about a work study program.  These kids, who we called the Fabulous 5 (because they are FABULOUS kids) are now WORKING!!  And I helped get them there!  That's such an incredible feeling.  I literally cried while reading it.  I'm just so proud.  

Teaching is a hard gig, if you ask me.  There's a lot to juggle.  And doing it with grace and joy can be difficult sometimes.  And meeting the needs of all of the students can seem like an impossible task.  But wow.  The rewards are really unbeatable.  Helping to shape who a person becomes and their career path is such a huge responsibility.  It's a responsibility that I need in my life.  

What keeps you in the game?  What keeps you coming back and trying again every day, even when it's hard?