Leaving the Kids - Teaching is a Strange Job!

Teaching is such a strange job. As a second career teacher, I’ve been in several environments. There isn’t one other job that I would have felt teary at leaving.  In fact, there is normally massive excitement at a break ahead. But teaching is weird.

Here we are. The day I leave for the UK. The day FMLA starts & I wing myself over to the UK to look after Mum. She’s excited & desperate for her daughter to be there. She doesn’t always remember that I’m coming, but the reaction is the same every time I remind her. Happy tears. Being 90, living alone, facing Alzheimer's, and knowing that you need help - it must be scary. There are times she's cognizant of the facts but forgets that I am coming to take care of her future.  There are times that she pleads for help and is delighted when I let her know that I will be there.  Hearing your own mother - a strong, independent woman - scared and alone is heartbreaking.

But I'm on my way.

Yesterday was my last day. A day filled with surprises and emotions. One class threw a ‘British tea party’ for me - adorable - with a list of who was bringing what - highly organized. The other seemed to be completely unaware but then stunned me with a surprise party - designer cake and all. Both groups showered me with gifts and made me feel incredibly special and loved.

I've never quite felt that way as a teacher, and now I’m a mix of emotions. I’ve taught most of these kids for two years. I have become a huge proponent of looping after this experience - I've been a better teacher, and my students have been better learners. We became a team as we grew together. We accomplished things we might never have done without that trust and those relationships in place. But that makes leaving them even harder. So hard.

These kids have truly embraced my investment and 'crazy' ideas. They have reflected, learned, and (I like to think) grown as people. If nothing else, they love ELA - and that's a WIN in my book.

The kids will be just fine without me. I haven’t done my job if they aren’t independent, reflective learners by now. I’ll see them as I start my new role in August and they begin 8th grade.  The bottom line is that Mum needs me. As a single Mum, she gave up so much to care for me…now it’s my turn to be there for her.  

She deserves it.

Cheers!