End Of Career

Judy began her teaching career at the ripe old age of 51.  She worked in private industry for 25 years and a change in management meant it was either unemployment or a new career.  She always loved children so she went back to school, took some education courses and began teaching second grade.  For 10 years she loved her job and the kids loved her.  But something snapped in year 11.  She realized she no longer liked the kids and they didn't like her.  She didn't know if it was the kids, the new demands being put on her by the administration, or just the drain of doing the same thing day in or day out, so she handed in her papers and is now happily retired.

I'm happy for Judy.  She is now able to sleep at night without the worry of Danielson Framework and without worry about all the computer stuff she is not familiar with or with how she would be able to input data without a computer in her room (strange that all the young teachers had computers.)  She doesn't have to worry about her reports that lack the current buzz words the newbies use all the time.

I am even more happy for the students who would have been in Judy's class.  They won't have an experienced teacher, but hopefully they will have one who loves them and wants them to do well.  She knew she was not doing them any good, and was perhaps doing harm, something she did not want to do.

Liking students might be the most important part of teaching.  Too bad there is no way to evaluate what goes on in the heart.

(Picture is Ferris wheel at carnival in Padavan Field--no relation to the post.  I just liked how it came out.)