School is starting again. I haven't had a first day of school for 4 years. It doesn't seem like it. I feel like it was yesterday when I was setting up my classroom, and writing first-day-of-school lesson plans. As I walk down the back-to-school aisles, I get nostalgic. I really enjoyed teaching. I loved the students and I loved learning from them. Amazing lessons...
Arthur taught me that people live up to the expectations set for them. If you believe in them, they will believe in themselves.
Mary taught me that people can overcome what life throws at them.
Sam taught me that learning is important and that even when it's not fun, it's still important to learn.
Alma and Saul taught me to take the time to learn about the individual - their needs, their abilities, their likes and dislikes.
Brent taught me to accept my limits. And that I'm not accountable for the choices of other people.
Peace taught me to look for the humor in things.
Marcus taught me that kids are still kids. And even little boys sometimes need to cry. And it's okay.
I could go on and on (and I only taught for three years!). Each of my students helped me learn to be a better teacher and a better person. And now...
I have 2 little permanent "students" - or should I say "teachers". And even though I'm not setting up my classroom, or making first-day-of-school lesson plans, I'm still in the thick of teaching. I'm still learning something new every day. And I'm loving it!
*names of students have been changed
