I'm finishing up my 5th year as a teacher (which is young in a teaching career) and I can't help but think it is absolutely absurd that some of the students I first taught are going to be sophomores in college next year. Unbelievable--it feels like I just left college yesterday. When I first started teaching, my mom, who is a retired teacher, gave me a journal to jot down some of my most memorable experiences and funny happenings that stop you in your tracks and just make you laugh out loud--and sometimes in the middle of a lesson. (One of my kid's raising his hand in the middle of class - "Ms. Kuplen is it true you got your hair cut off at a rock concert?")
After a rough day at work last week, I opened the journal to remind myself of all of the enjoyable moments I do have as a teacher. Every now and then I get asked, "Are you going to quit teaching? Are you trying to quit teaching?" If you would have asked me last year (or maybe even last week) the answer probably would have been yes, eventually. But the truth is, when I sit down and think about it, I couldn't leave the kids I get to see every day. They make me feel like Bill Self walking into Allen Fieldhouse when I pass through the lunchroom, I get loads of hugs, and get to see countless smiles every day. They think my jokes are hilarious and make me feel so loved (almost) every day. Driving to work in the mornings when I'm tired and ready for the work week to be over and then I pass a group of my students walking to school and see them race to catch up to my car and greet me in the parking lot, how many other professions does that happen? They are truthful, loving, and remind me everyday to not ever take life too seriously. If we could see the world, the way we saw it as kids, and still believe that ANYTHING is possible, not only could we accomplish and have what we want, but most importantly BE who we want.
Are there ups and downs? Sure. Is it easy? No. I had someone mention to me this weekend "You must love what you do because it's so easy!" I wish you could have seen my face. I still hope I didn't come off as RUDE. But CMON! Do I have it easier than a classroom teacher or an administrator? Most certainly. I can't thank them enough for what all they do and I admire their positive spirit and patience. They stay way past their duty times and for some of our students, they are the most constant person in their life. Do I teach because it's "easy?" No. I teach PE, which IS fun! I get to teach lessons with locomotor skills and exciting games teaching my students to throw and catch, to strike, and to leap. It is a lot of hands on learning and classroom management in such a large space--you would think it would be more manageable --it is not! More space for things to happen!! Emotions run high and most times it is a place where bullying can occur. Each class, I have to have high energy and create a positive environment for all students. While 19 students are having fun, one might be having the worst hour of their day, and it is my job to make sure they enjoy school and have fun learning to exercise, hopefully wanting to carry out a healthy lifestyle. One might be getting called "slow" or being laughed at for not being able to strike a fluff ball- yes that's part of a game. How we treat kids will stay with them and affect them for the rest of their life. It may not seem like a "big deal" but to a kid, it is everything. Typically, they don't know any more than what is happening in the moment and I pray each day I am only adding positivity and enjoyment to their life.
So to all my former teachers, teacher friends, coworkers, teachers everywhere, THANK YOU. What you are doing and have done is NOT EASY. Remembering how much of an impact my teachers had on my life, I thought they were the coolest, greatest, and most admirable person I knew and I always wanted to be just like them. I like to think I sometimes remind myself of some of my favorite teachers I had by emulating their positive traits and uplifting spirits that made me want to be at school and continue to be at a school making a difference in the lives of students. Your influence is never ending, so, keep on keepin' on. You ARE making a difference.
.....And happy (almost) summer, cheers to another year!
