- I probably wouldn't read this post if I was me b/c I don't read long blogs, but whatever. Make a cup of coffee and hunker down.
I don't actually know why I am so happy about this (I probably have pride issues), but it has put a smile on my face and it's not going away. I was having dinner tonight with my friend Christy and her younger cousin Hannah at Brixx Pizza. Conversation happening, etc., etc.- fast forward to the good part...
Christy says to me "Hannah goes to (the high school I used to teach at)... Hannah took art this year... Jen used to teach art there." That's when her cousin says something like "Oh, that's you? People talk about you there. All the students miss you. They say you were the best art teacher. Yeah, I heard you gave them a lot of work and were tough, but they respected you because they learned a lot. They still talk about you."
My jaw hit the table and I started the grand inquiry. "Really!?! Wow. I never thought they would miss me. Blah, blah, blah." I couldn't shut up about it and I definitely can't stop thinking about it. I was completely floored!
That is the best compliment I have ever received. Now, don't get me wrong. There are plenty of students that came through my classroom, punched the time clock (so to speak), and went on their way. There was many times when I would ask myself what was I doing this job for? Did it really matter? Was it worth all the frustration? Now I know- yes. Yes it was worth it, yes it mattered to some people.
I've had it in the back of my mind for years that I was really working for God, not a principal or dept. chair. (That has helped me do great at some not so great jobs.) But I now realize that I missed an opportunity to see a light in my workplace to my fellow teachers, but to know that I was able to positively affect a few students- that is priceless. It's nice to be missed, but that I was respected... I don't have the words. I never tried to be their friend, and I would tell them that- "I'm not your friend, I'm your teacher." I might have even said "I don't care if you like me."
I used to question the way I taught and I would come to the conclusion that I couldn't do it any other way. It was who I was and how I was. Being that laissez-faire, look the other way teacher was not me; I was all about the business (example-I labeled all the drawers and cabinets meticulously). I am reminded, even now in my present situations, that God made me a certain way, and to try to be something different is a waste of time.
Short story- long: I hope you get the encouragement you need to keep charging up whatever hill God has placed you on.
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