Tuesday, May 15, 2012

One of the best letters I have ever received from students// One of the worst days of teaching I have ever had.

Well, today was one of the worst days of teaching I have had. Let's just say that I had an emotional breakdown in my boss's office and then had to go face fifty-four students with those puffy I've obviously been crying eyes. Good times, especially when people continuously ask you if you are okay, which only makes you cry more. Know what I'm talking about? The extreme highs and lows of this career called teaching will never cease to surprise me, even as I finish up my sixth year on the job.

Despite having that kind of day, I am choosing to focus on the positive. This letter was left in my teacher mail box for me to find last week. It is one of the best letters I have ever received from students (two of my favorite students ever, even though I'm not supposed to have favorites). When I read it, I cried tears of appreciation at first, but since these students are so funny and weird (and appreciate my weirdness), the tears were soon replaced with laughter.

4 comments:

  1. Brooke. You are indeed an amazing woman and teacher. It pains me to hear of my fellow teachers and ahimsakas suffering the indignities of our profession. I too have been struggling with the stress and stupidity of public beaurocracy. I have contemplated quitting more than ever over the last few days, and if it weren't for an email from a student telling me that the reason they are graduating from college and on the path they are on is because of one class with me. It is obvious from the above letter, your students' lives are enriched in a myriad of ways in being with you. I hope that this patch of rough is brief and you can continue on changing lives. With love, your friend.

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  2. Brooke. I echo all of Travis' thoughts he shared. You are an amazing, intelligent, thoughtful, and caring person, which makes you an incredible educator. Sometimes "being the change" you want to see is hard work. But if anyone is up for the challenge, it's you. Sending lots of love from Boston your way!!!

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    1. Travis and Rachel,
      Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words; they really mean so much to me. You both are such an inspiration to me, and it gives me hope to know that there are educators out there like you who I am lucky enough to call my friends. :)

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  3. It is so hard to experience the pain you endure as you give so much of yourself in teaching, but the rewards you enjoy are the feelings that stay with you a lifetime, long after the pain is forgotten. God bless you! Dad

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