The "s" word.
Ten days have passed since the school’s bell made that resounding chime that resonated in the hearts of students and teachers alike. Alice Cooper’s vintage hit “School’s Out for Summmmmmer” wailed over the PA at school and struck a chord with us all. When I started this blog, I wasn’t sure whether or not this would be a place for me to write about the “s” word. I guess there’s no better time than summer break.
School has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Those long ago kindergarten days all too quickly gave way to the remainder of primary, middle, junior, and senior high school. And then in the beat of a heart, I was finding my way through MUN. In April of 1998, I booted it across MUN’s tunnel system and emerged at the Faculty of Education building - sweaty and out of breath – to submit my application. You see, the time had come for me to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My convocation for my Bachelor of Arts degree was mere weeks away and surely you must know that there aren’t many careers to be had with History or English as key areas of concentration. An Education degree had always been a possibility. I had tutored for a number of years and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I, for the most part, had enjoyed my time as a student. I had obtained an application in January, wrote the accompanying blurb, and sat on it for months.
Several retired teachers I know have referred to teaching as being a calling. Though I submitted my application at the proverbial 11th hour, it doesn’t make my journey to the front of the classroom less meaningful or significant. Starting with my Internship back in the Spring of 1999, I can easily say that teaching has been a great learning and humbling experience. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but it has always been worthwhile. I can confidently say that I have learned as much from “my kids” through the years as they have learned from me. I’ve laughed with my students and have cried with them and, in some instances, for them. I’ve offered advice and have always been an ear when needed. It hasn’t always been sunshine and lollipops. At the end of the day, the fact remains that I am in it for the outcome and not the income. There is, however, something to be said about summer break.
School has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Those long ago kindergarten days all too quickly gave way to the remainder of primary, middle, junior, and senior high school. And then in the beat of a heart, I was finding my way through MUN. In April of 1998, I booted it across MUN’s tunnel system and emerged at the Faculty of Education building - sweaty and out of breath – to submit my application. You see, the time had come for me to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My convocation for my Bachelor of Arts degree was mere weeks away and surely you must know that there aren’t many careers to be had with History or English as key areas of concentration. An Education degree had always been a possibility. I had tutored for a number of years and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I, for the most part, had enjoyed my time as a student. I had obtained an application in January, wrote the accompanying blurb, and sat on it for months.
Several retired teachers I know have referred to teaching as being a calling. Though I submitted my application at the proverbial 11th hour, it doesn’t make my journey to the front of the classroom less meaningful or significant. Starting with my Internship back in the Spring of 1999, I can easily say that teaching has been a great learning and humbling experience. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but it has always been worthwhile. I can confidently say that I have learned as much from “my kids” through the years as they have learned from me. I’ve laughed with my students and have cried with them and, in some instances, for them. I’ve offered advice and have always been an ear when needed. It hasn’t always been sunshine and lollipops. At the end of the day, the fact remains that I am in it for the outcome and not the income. There is, however, something to be said about summer break.
Comments
Post a Comment