It used to be hard to get up in the morning, because I didn't know what my day would be like, with so many reasons things could go wrong, so many fires to fight.
It's still hard to get up in the morning, but only because the alarm is so early; I like to get a jump start on my day.
I used to count down the days each week, because I was so wrung out by Wednesday that Friday couldn't get here soon enough.
Now I worry about having enough stamina to be just as energetic at the twentieth read-aloud as I was at the first--because the twentieth class deserves a good read, too.
I used to count down the days until the next break, because my heart was heavy and my mind was tired and my fingers just couldn't type out one. more. piece. of. paperwork.
I'm still counting the days, but only because I have so much to teach and share and I want to be sure to squeeze it all in.
I used to worry, all the time, about whether or not I was really doing a good job, feeling like I was always patching holes that could never be completely filled, wondering if today would be a breakthrough day or a hanging-in-there day.
Now, I get to provide service with a laser-like focus.
One all-encompassing subject.
Literacy.
I still have those doubts daily, but as the years pass I feel more confident in my teaching. I love that you can focus on one thing - and such an important thing - literacy - because we know literacy affects ALL areas of learning!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the years added confidence. I did love teaching, and I felt like I made a difference (and was told I did). There were days, though, teaching special education in a Title I school, that I felt like I could never do enough--and that's hard to deal with, on a day to day basis.
DeleteI love how you love your job so much now. What a different waking up in joy makes.
ReplyDeleteIt really does. And I would be librarian to those same students in a heartbeat; I feel I could serve them even more fully from this position.
DeleteYou are transformed by the joy of the endeavor - bravo!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tara! It's a joy to find one's niche!
Delete"Lord, I believe I did the best I could yesterday.
ReplyDeletePlease help me to do the best I can today." This was my morning prayer for many years. It started when I started spending more time with people than with communications equipment operation and repair.....
Just a thought. Love Ya, Dad.
Nice prayer to keep in one's pocket. Thanks, Dad.
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