While many people know me as an Episcopal priest, I am afraid that does not quite pay the bills. Where I have made the really big bucks for the past twenty-nine years is as a school teacher. (For those of you who did not catch the oh-so-subtle humor in that last sentence, please click here).I admit the moment I see the first back-to-school commercial on TV (usually around July 1), my blood runs cold, and I feel a tightness in my chest. It always seems like I have just gotten into the slow-paced swing of summer: my lawn is just beginning to fill in the brown patches, I still have ten or twelve huge projects lying unfinished, and here we are talking about sales on binders and pencils and backpacks.
Yet, as August wanes, I always find myself looking forward once again to new faces and children, old friends and nervous parents, desks and crayons.
There will come a time soon, when autumn will come with children’s laughter, but I will not be there. I know I will miss them. Still, that is not this year – this year I have bulletin boards to put up, lesson plans to prepare, and the future to welcome through my classroom doors. It is time once again to begin the dance, and I can’t help but smile.
Well, at least you make a living of sorts, Rick, although teaching will surely never make you rich. Teachers and nurses are grossly underpaid, in my humble opinion. and both have vitally important jobs.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that you are a teacher, who, in the end, looks forward to going back to school. May you have a blessed and happy school year.
My grandchildren are already back in school, going into their second week now.
Thank you, Grandmère!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful year. I always liked school and looked forward to early September, but what I remember most now are the wonderful teachers I had. I'm sure many of your students will and do look back fondly on your teaching.
ReplyDeleteMany do and some probably couldn't stand me. I always remind myself it's not my job to be their buddy... I'm their teacher.
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