I have worked at the same job for 6 years, one I fell into in high school and have loved enough to keep since then. While there are moments I hate it, people I can't stand, it has been a very important part of my life since high school. I have watched some of the most amazing children grow and change, I have formed friendships with a select few of my graduates mostly my kids from the 8th grade class of 2010.
I was able to watch some incredible teachers teach in the classroom and conduct themselves out of the classroom. I learned that I could NEVER teach the upper elementary grades which is just fine because my degree only goes through 3rd grade. My whole life I have observed how a school works, I know more things about every part of a school than most teachers do, I have been on the maintenance side, the kitchen side, the office side and the teaching side. The best part of working for a school is that everyone no matter how big or small their paycheck is has a huge influence on how the students grow and learn. One important thing I learned this past summer is how keeping your classroom clean and tidy all year will benefit the people who deep clean it during the summer and prolong the integrity of the building. I learned so many things in the past 6 years and have been able to become comfortable in my position and with my simple life. Tomorrow is my last day and I have two fears: 1) It will not be acknowledged and the kids will come to school on Monday wondering why Miss Lory isn't in the lunchroom, and 2) that there will be many tears shed by myself and the wonderful women I work with. I don't want to leave my daddy, he struggles with the stupid people who are supposed to help in the lunchroom when I am there, so what's going to happen without me? There are so many things I do, things that I know need done and things that are just natural but there are those who don't believe I do anything but sit on my butt at the computer and take lunch numbers. How are the people I love and care about going to be affected by my absence? Some would say it doesn't matter but I love my father more than anything and I love the ladies I work with in the kitchen so very much, it does matter how they are affected. But it's a business and they will going on picking up the slack and busting their butts to get the job done and get their paychecks, I just hope my absence is noticed by the powers that be (or think they be...LOL).
Now I am facing the next step in my life. I have been in college for 4 1/2 years and I am finally at the end of my journey. February 3 I begin my 16 weeks of student teaching which marks the end of my college journey. I will graduate in Arizona in March, alongside (sort of) my mom, I will continue student teaching through the end of the school year and receive my real diploma in early June. Until then I will spend 8 weeks in the PreK program at Holy Family and then my final 8 weeks at Dos Rios Elementary School in Kindergarten. I am terrified beyond reason! Everyone tells me "relax, it will be fine, you will do fine, we will have fun." Seriously people this doesn't relieve my fear or nerves. I come from a long line of teachers, some damn amazing ones and to add to it my brother married one, really? Like we didn't have enough of those already ;-) lol. I have high expectations for myself and that is sometimes the worst pressure to be under. My life is going to be super busy, something I'm not really used to. Getting up early...hate that part! Being watched, graded, almost judged everyday is terrifying. No normal person can just blow off that kind of pressure. Then you add the pressure of having an influence on the child, not only in the moment, but their life. And learning these strange names people are giving children will be another experience. I know I can do this but that doesn't take the fear out of the picture.
Then there is the next part of growing up, finding a job that won't just be a job but one that will make me happy BUT that's for another day.
