Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Everybody likes a good quote right? I know I do.I’ve always been a big fan of inspirational quotesand cliches. Things that I wholeheartedly felt I related to at the time. Maybe it was a song lyric, a bumper sticker, something someone shared on Instagram, etc.

 This one seems to ring true every May: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

 Yes, it’s from Winnie the Pooh, and yes I probably searched “sentimental goodbye quotes” one day and stumbled upon it. The truth of it hasn’t worn off. This past year brought a lot of changes. Doesn’t every year? But the magnitude of changes seem to hit mehard around this time. 

Maybe it’s because I got involved in theater again. I helped with a school production with some other wonderful people, and I had more fun than I ever imagined that I would. Seeing the kids progress, become more comfortable in their roles, and grow closer as a cast truly warmed my heart and took me back to my high school theater days. Or maybe it’s seeing all of the college graduation caps and immediately taking myself back to that day, with the bittersweet reminder that my life will never be that carefree. Or is it that school is almost out and I’m sad to notsee those sweet kiddos for a few months.

And this isn’t to bum anyone out (although I am taking suggestions for a good tearjerker), but it’s important to reflect on why I feel the way that I do. As hard as it is to close the door on those parts of life, I have to believe that other doors will open soon. Feeling this way, as sad as it feels currently, is actually a good thing because I would feel differently having no involvement at all. Each experience shapes us as people, sometimes for better, sometimes not. But I’d like to believe that at the end of the day, we grow. 

So cherish those moments with the people you love. Share your passions, laugh with old friends, watch home videos, smile a little more and remember that each day, in its own way, is a gift. The “see you laters” will turn into new “hellos” soon enough. 

I’m thankful for the start of all adventures.

Here’s to the Teachers

This past October, I was at a teaching conference and saw a teacher that had a great impact on me as a child. I wrestled with the idea of going up to her to say hello or not. What if she didn’t remember me or recognize me? I quickly snappedmyself out of it and put myself in her place. If I were her, would I appreciate someone coming up to me to say hello? Without hesitating, I knew the answer.

I’ve been fortunate to have incredible teachers throughout my life. My kindergarten teacher showed us that lmnop were actually five different letters, not one long one. My fourth grade teacher taught us responsibility and accountability. My sixth grade teacher treated us like people, not ignorant kids. My high school theater director shared hispassion with us and got us so excited to perform. In college, my education professor taught us to make every moment memorable with our students. When I was a student teacher, my cooperating teacher supported me every step of the wayand allowed me to develop my own teaching style. My first year of teaching was MESSY and I had incredibles colleagues to vent to, rely on, and learn from. Each experience has allowed me to grow professionally and as a person, and to thosepeople, I cannot thank you enough for making me the teacher I am today.

I’d like to think that I make an impact on my students. That I make them feel welcomed, loved, and valued on a daily basis. Will I succeed with that every time? No. But if I can say that I made that effort, that I caught the moment in time where the student confided in me, or finally figured out that super tough math problem, then this is all worth it. Kids are the most resilient people I know. They wear their hearts on their sleeves. They find reasons to laugh on the toughest days. Some days I feel like it’s been decades since I’ve been that elementary student (which it has) and some days I feel like it was just yesterday. Most of the time, it’s a good thing because I can remember the impact of a positive influence and channel it into my daily routine.

Here’s to the teachers who spend your evenings, weekends, and days off brainstorming ways to make your students lives better. Here’s to the teachers who lift one another up in your thoughts, words, and actions. Here’s to the teachers who mold minds and impact those kiddos. They are the reason we do what we do. And you never know when that student will come back in your life and tell you how much your time with them meant. And if no one has said it to you lately, THANKYOU! Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed, and you are loved and appreciated!

As nervous as I felt to say thank you to that teacher that day, I did. I told her that I loved being in her class, and that she was one of my favorite teachers. It’s been 13 years since I was her student, and the impact of her class has stuck with me. So please show your favorite teacher some love and say thank you! It means more than you could ever imagine! 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

I Know the Heart of Life is Good

The last time I wrote on here, I described my time studying abroad in Ireland. Today I write to talkabout life. I am by no means up to the level of expertise of “Dear Abby”. But a few days ago, a good friend of mine encouraged me to journal. In some ways, this can be a form of that. If anything, I want this to be a place of vulnerability, positivity, and relability. 

The truth is that this time a year ago I was in a bad place. I was hurting from things out of my control and my anxiety was at an all time high. I was getting ready to leave my first job in a few months. I was leaving a city that I loved exploring. I was having to say goodbye to many people whogot me through my first two years of adulthood. And I was terrified. What if moving back home didn’t fix anything? Why did it feel like I was starting all over again? But what I knew was that I couldn’t continue feeling the way that I was feeling. Something needed to change. 

Fast forward to today with a feeling that I have above everything else: Gratitude. I’m currently reading a book to my students about a girl who tragically loses her parents. This small group of people work together to help her heal and make her life manageable. At the part where we left off today, she had just announced to this group, “I just want to say thank you for all that you’ve done for me”. Sure, this is fiction. But her words rang true and struck a chord within. How often do we truly say thank you to the people who have helped us? Yes, it’s awkward and easier said than done. But it got me reflecting on why I chose my career path: to make an impact. 

It’s clear and simple, but my goal has always been to leave this place a little better than when I found it. If I can impact one student, one friend, one family member, one person reading this, shouldn’t that be enough? Rather than focusing on the magnitude of likes on a picture or whether or not this person has a seemingly better life than mine, why can’t it be enough to focus on the magnitude of how someone felt loved, heard, and appreciated by me? 

So today I’ll start with just a small list of who I’m grateful for.

Thank you to my Mom and Dad who have truly sacrificed and dedicated their lives to making their children feel empowered, loved, and safe.

Thank you to my three sibilings, who have mademe laugh, cry, vent, offered advice, and are really just the best friends I could ask for.

Thank you to my extended family of strong, hard-working, passionate people. You influence me daily and I’m thankful to know you.

Thank you to my best friends. The first few yearsof adulthood aren’t easy, and we may have fallen out of touch for a while, but the way we’ve been able to seamlessly pick up where we left off has been so incredibly meaningful to me.

Thank you to past and present coworkers . Your patience, guidance, and professionalism during my first three years of adulthood has been immensely helpful. I would not be the teacher that I am today without you.

Finally, thank you to those reading. If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for your time and attention to these words. It’s been so therapeutic to write them, and knowing that it could potentially impact someone reading this gives me true joy.

Thank you.