24 days into my move to Nashville, I am alive, tired, but alive. The days are long, most of my nights are spent working instead of sleeping, my brain is constantly running and I miss my dog, but this is what I came here for.
I wake up every morning at 5:30, I shower, pack my lunch, apply some mascara, brush my hair, gather my materials and I am out the door by 6:30, tired, wondering where is my energy going to come from today, but this is what I came here for.
I put a smile on my face, I practice my lesson, over and over again, I teach my lesson, I realize it might never go quite how I planned, I hang with the 6th graders as they eat their cafeteria lunches, I get feedback on how to be better tomorrow, I try and eat my lunch, while grading exit tickets, but this is what I came here for.
I enter training sessions with an open mind, I practice, I practice and I practice some more, I learn how to make a lesson align with Common Core Standards, I learn that math isn’t so bad, I go home, exhausted and with a brain full of new knowledge, but this is what I came here for.
I open the door to my apartment, I eat ramen noodles for dinner, I open my laptop and begin planning my lessons for next week, I practice tomorrow’s lesson, over and over, I lay in bed tired and burned out, I can’t fall asleep because I wonder, “How can I be better tomorrow?” but this is what I came here for.
While the days are long, and I certainly have a lot to practice and to remember, I think about the little moments in my day. I think about seeing the look on the face of one of my kiddos when they have that AH-HA moment and I realize, this is what I came here for. I think about the student who passed me in the hallway on their way to the bus that said, “See you tomorrow, Miss Hagan” and I realize, this is what I came here for.
To learn, to inspire, to grow, to teach, to struggle, to succeed, to become a teacher, this is what I came here for.
Thank you, to all of those near and far, young and old, who day in and day out, help me remember, this is what I came here for.
a walking paradox 
You, are amazing, your positive outlook and love of teaching will teach so many 6th graders, co-workers and on lookers so much more than what they are teaching you! ❤️
LikeLike
Welcome to the world of making no money but loving what you do there’s nothing like the appreciation one receives not from the monetary value but from a smile and nod But excited look that you have something that someone wants your building yourself up to be the best person you can possibly be and I am so proud of you keep up all your good work and know that every day Auntie is thinking of you and misses you like crazy XOXO
LikeLike
Teaching is the most rewarding profession. It is not easy some days and you do get tired but once you get how to do it successfully it will become more like walking. Just think of the impact you will have on these kids…they will remember you… Love you…hate you……learn from you. But more importantly you will learn from them. Have fun and listen well.
XoxoxoCousin Adele
LikeLike