I have been enjoying my time off and thinking that maybe it is time to put down my chalk. While not dreading going back, I wasn't exactly looking forward to my first class and waited until the last minute to open the book and see what I had to teach. I got out of my car and felt nothing except for a slight irritation at the woman who took the parking spot I wanted. I walked into the office, said hello to the secretaries, made my copies and walked to class, still wondering why I was there instead of home. And then, I saw the students waiting to go into class and something went off inside me. I felt my apathy slowly change into enthusiasm. When I put my books down and started talking everything changed. It all came back. I was where I belonged.
I didn't care that I was standing in front of remedial students instead of the pre-calculus students I had been promised. I saw kids that wanted to learn. I saw kids in need of help and I was ready and willing to give it. I told them not to be ashamed of where they started. There was nothing wrong with needing a little reinforcement. After all, high school taught them nothing and they all agreed.
I'm not going to get them all to succeed but I know I will get many to move ahead. I am now looking forward to my next class.
