I know those moments in your first classroom were challenging. I know that you thought you would be an agent of change, that you would make a difference in the lives of your students. Both those things are wonderful, and looking back- you did make a difference. Your kids from the early years are in their late 20's now- older than many of the teachers you work with now. Most are doing well. They have jobs, families, many went to college. They are thoughtful, courageous, and loving. They will remind you years later that all the extra hours, the tears (in and out of the classroom) were worth it. You made an impact that first year, you did make a difference.
How do you do it? You hang on and enjoy the ride. You get out of the way sometimes and let your kids teach you. You will never have all the answers, you will never be an expert of everything. That is not why you are there. You are there to witness the journey, to fuel the spirit of learning and discovery so when they leave you, they can do it on their own.
Dearest Meredith, they wont all change the world but they will change their worlds. They will be agents of change in their own lives and in the lives of others. They will mourn those they have lost and celebrate the achievements of those they still have. They will look back on their time in your room and remember your kindness and joy and not the tears. There will come a time when they are there for you and the script will flip and you get to depend on them. That is how it is supposed to be. When this happens, know that you did your job and you did it well. That is why they are still in your life now. You didn't try to make them into something else. You witnessed the evolution of who they were always meant to be.
Well done.
Me
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