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!