Today was the last day of school. I can’t even begin to explain all of the mixed emotions I’m feeling (and I’m sure other teachers agree!) Part of me feels extremely relieved. Teaching is hard. Many times it is overwhelming, time-consuming, and emotionally draining. It will be so nice to get to sleep in a little later, not have to work every weekday, or spend hours after work correcting papers, planning lessons, answering emails, and researching ways to solve classroom issues. But there’s another side of teaching, too. Thankfully, this side of teaching is the most important part. The kids. Because no matter how many times you have to beg them to turn in homework, take away their paper airplanes, or ask them to please, please, please just sit quietly and raise their hands before talking – they are still my kids. Every teacher hopes that what we say sticks, that somehow we've made a difference in these kids' lives or at least showed them that somebody cares. Sometimes we see that or hear about it from kids or parents. Sometimes we wonder if anything we said sunk in at all. But all we can do is keeping on giving and giving, because, whether we see it or not, what we say does make a difference.
I grew up in a family of teachers. Both of my parents teach and coach and so do so many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Teaching is kind of a Hildebrandt thing and one time we figured out we could cover almost every subject and run our own school. I've had the incredible privilege of talking to my relatives about teaching and coaching and I've seen the HUGE impact they have all had on so many kids. I've seen a lot of them go through horrible things, but yet, they still press on and give so much of themselves. Teaching really does change kids, and kids change teachers. In turn, the world changes. I'm so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to follow in these footsteps and become a teacher myself.
Although, right now, I'm ready to enjoy the summer... :)
I grew up in a family of teachers. Both of my parents teach and coach and so do so many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Teaching is kind of a Hildebrandt thing and one time we figured out we could cover almost every subject and run our own school. I've had the incredible privilege of talking to my relatives about teaching and coaching and I've seen the HUGE impact they have all had on so many kids. I've seen a lot of them go through horrible things, but yet, they still press on and give so much of themselves. Teaching really does change kids, and kids change teachers. In turn, the world changes. I'm so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to follow in these footsteps and become a teacher myself.
Although, right now, I'm ready to enjoy the summer... :)
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