Yesterday, I ran into my team mate at the grocery store (well former team mate now) and it prompted this post.
As everyone knows I made the decision to quit working for the next two years as a teacher and, while at the time, it decided like a wonderful idea, I think that I really miss my job :( Let me create an analogy here.... its like having a baby, you forget the pain of having the baby and only remember the pure joy of holding the baby in your arms for the first time. I've obviously never had a baby, but my friend explained this to me when I asked her how much labor hurt...she honestly didn't remember! Well, that's basically how I feel about teaching-- It was crazy stressful, but I only remember the good times now! I feel like everyone thinks that I hated it..no no no..I have had two very stressful years..but hate is being irrational. The first year was stressful because it was brand new and I had to learn how to make kids behave and learn a new curriculum. This past year was equally stressful because I was planning a wedding, trying to get into grad school, and once again...learning a new curriculum. Now that I have had three restful weeks off from the job, I'm ready to go back to work but, I don't have my job :(
My husband thinks I'm crazy to want to go back to work, but sitting around all day without a thing to do is NOT and has NEVER been my style! I'm a busy body, I can't sit and relax; I honestly don't think I even know how to relax! If I'm not up doing something, I feel like I'm being lazy and unproductive. I really don't remember what it's like to not work...my first job was being a cashier in a jewelry store when I was 17. Then, I was "promoted" to learning how to sell the jewelry and then another promotion to office manager, and finally promoted to assistant manager...I was moving up that corporate ladder (hahahaha). I worked through college, during my internship, and every summer since I was 17.
Yes, I miss my 22 smiling faces who are excited to see me everyday, regardless of my mood. I miss the excitement over planning lessons like teaching Fairy Tales or teaching fractions using pizza! I miss the creativity, especially when writing stories! I am going to miss decorating my classroom for every season and doing all of the fun crafty things that go along with each season (Witch's Brew, Gingerbread Houses, Candy heart graphing.) I will miss Pinteresting new and exciting things to change in my classroom, and I will definitely miss seeing my co-workers and sharing silly stories about our day! Teaching isn't easy, it's stressful at times, and I always worried about how my students were growing academically or how I can fit more time in to do this or that. Although I can't remember what the stress felt like, or how tired I was every night, or how many times a kid pushed my buttons that day, I remember the fun and the laughter, and I know that next year, I will miss having my own class and implementing new and creative things to do.
However, change is good to, and I have to take this next big step and see where it will take us :)
