I’ve always loved working with kids. In third grade, I made my career choice, and it’s never wavered. During my senior year of high school, I spent the afternoons volunteering at a local elementary- having finished all of my required credits and ready to be a teacher.
Adjusting to my new schedule this year has left me anxious in many ways…but boy, I did not expect how strongly I would miss teaching kids.
Don’t get me wrong… I get more than my fill of Kindergarten and 7th grade love from 3:30 pm to 9 am daily. But any teacher mom knows- it’s different with your own.
I miss the challenge of getting kids interested in new books and writing, when the light bulb clicks on the math concept, and telling daily jokes (aka “dad jokes”) to my quietest students to connect.
The other day I was waiting for my coffee order when I saw two kids with their mom at the mall. I smiled at them and had to fight the urge to go over and talk to them- lest I come off as the creepy lady in the play area.
I’ve been so blessed the last few decades to have daily doses of kids all day; their positive innocence, willingness to learn, and kind hearts (even though some days get LONG…).
Today I brought lunch up to my school to celebrate a friend’s birthday. I happened to run into the 5th graders coming back from specialists. I got to give hugs to my students from last year and tell them how much I’ve missed them. Tears welled in my eyes as I walked away… you forget how much you build when you spend a year together all day long.
I’ll find my way back to working with kids soon, I know I can’t give that up. But for now, if you see me organizing a game of tag at the park with my son’s friends- don’t worry- I’m just a teacher missing my class.
*** This week I finished On Writing by Steven King. Having devoured everything from Carrie to Pet Semetary to Mr. Mercedes– I was fascinated to read about the architect of most of my nightmares in the 90’s. Part auto-biography (you find out a bit about what made him so dark), and part writing how-to. I would think this is an absolute prerequisite for any aspiring writer.
Teaching the Good Stuff 