Friday, November 07, 2008

Ten Reasons I Love My Job

I decided after yesterday's whiny, "I'm a failure" post, I needed to remind myself (and all of you) that I really am quite blessed to be where I am in my professional life. So here are ten reasons I love my job:

10) I get to work with my best friend, Tpiglette. There is nothing like knowing your gal pal is just a few classrooms away for calming stress. We can eat lunch together, we run a home group together, we take much-needed afternoon breaks to get caffeine from 7-11 together. And, in the black hole of first-year teaching, there is nothing better than a dear friend willing to make photocopies, staple homework packets, or grade vocab tests when you're about ready to fall apart.

9) I get to dress up in cute professional clothes and fabulous shoes. Not like when I was a nanny in sweats and running shoes every day.

8) My school is about 8 minutes from my house. Morning commute? SO easy.

7) My colleagues rock. Are there some people here I wouldn't mind never having to see or interact with? Yes, definitely. But I've to encounter anyone truly heinous, and for the most part, I get to interact daily with some awesome people. Besides Tpiglette, whom I've already mentioned, I also adore and admire my department lead, B., and her husband, J. They give me tons of support and advice - in fact, just today, B. gave me flowers and a card to encourage me after yesterday's rough afternoon. Plus, they're just all-around fun people.

6) I get to love and serve God openly every single day. People all have different beliefs, and what you believe may be completely different from what I believe, but I think most of us can agree that being able to easily blend your work with your fundamental beliefs is a pretty ideal scenario. I have a passion for God and His work, and I get to share that with students every day.

5) I get to talk about literature and the English language every single day. I am passionate about God, as I said, but I'm also passionate about English! I love discussing novels, studying grammar, learning vocabulary, writing, etc. So I get to stand up in front of my students and share that love. I think it helps them, too, to see their teachers really engaged with the subject matter.

4) I get to do fun "extra" stuff in addition to teaching. A couple weeks ago, I got to teach regency dance to the drama students for one of their plays. In January, I'll be chaperoning a student trip to Disneyland. And in June, I'll be accompanying kids on a service trip to Africa. Plus, I get to bounce through the air, get dunked in a tank, and all sorts of other humiliating yet awesome things. So cool!

3) Hot Teacher Guy. 'Nuff said.

2) I get to change lives. How cool is that? Maybe many of my students will forget me over the years - maybe many will leave my classroom completely unaffected by my presence in their lives. But some will always remember me. Some will be changed forever because of me. It is a terrifying responsibility and a tremendous honor all in one.

And the number one reason I love my job?
1) The kids. I love them. Okay, are there a few I don't always enjoy having in class? Yes. But for the most part, they're amazing. They like me, they respect me, and they make me smile. They are, without a doubt, the highlight of my every day.

Truly, I am blessed. What do you love about your job?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of the main reasons I want to become a teacher one day? Besides sculpting young minds of course...? Field Trips. I tell my husband all the time that I get to be the one who goes on all the field trips with our future kids! :)

Anonymous said...

I really like this list. Seems like you found your calling.

Lady M said...

I'm so glad that you've found this terrific school. Your students are lucky to have you.

Lisa said...

I am also so glad that you are loving your job. Teaching is so frustrating, and so rewarding and so amazing in so many ways. I would have to make a long list to tell you everything I love about teaching, but I'm with you on the #1 reason- the KIDS!

Hanlie said...

I'm so happy that you've found your niche! I'm sure your passion makes all the difference. You're right, teachers can be pivotal people in children's lives...

Clair said...

I'm envious of number 6 on your list. It's rare to be able to merge your faith with your job, and you're very lucky. As for me, I love my colleagues, and even when things aren't going well, I know that the work I do has a small impact on treatments and cures for all sorts of diseases.

BetteJo said...

Oh. And I just created my lame badge. :)

Ashley // Our Little Apartment said...

Dude - this almost makes me want to be a teacher again.

Almost. :)