June 11, 2012

Once upon a time, I was a twenty-one year old college graduate who went on her first interview at the same elementary school her little brother attended.  I will never forget the stylish principal whose last question was, "You don't have to answer this. . .but do you mind me asking how old you are?"
I gulped.  "Twenty-one."
"Twenty-one as in almost twenty-two?" she asked incredulously.
"Twenty-one two months ago, " I nervously replied.
She shook her head back and forth and said something about her niece who was just about that age and she couldn't imagine her in a classroom. . .and I walked out of the interview to my car where I called my parents with that AAA emergency block of a phone and said, "there is no way I got it."

Only a couple hours later, the principal called me to tell me I did in fact have the job and I would be starting with a class of thirty-one kindergarteners after Christmas vacation.  And I cried.  Not of joy.  Not of fear.  But because I never in a million years had thought I would ever want to teach kindergarten, but here I was.  And accept the job I did and what an absolute blessing it was to work with this woman, my first principal.

She provided guidance and support through my first years and subsequent years after.  She was a listening ear, dignified, classy, and always impeccably dressed.  She had a knack for seeing the best in her teachers and helping to bring that to the forefront so it would benefit students.  She was such an incredible gift to a young woman like myself, just starting out in the field of education.

But perhaps the conversation that matters most is the one we had behind closed doors as I contemplated an interview to go and teach at our new Sixth Grade Academy.  Go-getter that I was, I was working on a second master's degree at twenty-three years old. It was to be in school counseling and all my teachers advised me that if I wanted a job as a counselor, I needed to get out of elementary school and get some experience at the secondary level--FAST!  So, I listened and was ready to abandon my elementary ship to achieve another goal of mine in a timely fashion.  I was one who really loved checking off boxes from my to-do list!

The conversation that took place one day before my interview was life-changing for me.  I remember explaining the set of circumstances as to why I should leave, but I also recall being heartbroken over  leaving these little kids whom I was so enjoying.  Not to mention, the friendships I had formed with some incredible women on campus. . .the move would be a difficult one.  But if I wanted to put another x on the list, this was a prime opportunity!  S listened to me.  She valued every word I said.  She took all of it in before she ever said a word.  But the words she spoke, have been with me forever:  something along the lines of, "There isn't one road to get you to your goal.  There are several different roads that will eventually have you end up in the same spot--or an even better spot than you ever imagined." 

The truth was, I was very happy at my current location.  And as much as I knew teaching wouldn't be for me forever--there was time for me to teach before I ventured into the counseling world.  My whole future loomed in front of me.  There were so many unknowns and I had no need to be in a hurry.  I decided to bask in the moment and enjoy every day with my elementary students--and what a joy it turned out to be!  I was able to loop with my students so I had many of them from kinder to third grade! I was Teacher of the Year at some point in the journey and for five years I threw myself into work that I loved all because of this principal who took the time to listen to me and encourage me.  Her truth spoke deep into the recesses of my heart and I think back to her words today, thirteen years later...

Eventually, she moved on to the District Office and I moved up to the high school. . .thinking perhaps I would pursue my counseling position, only to find myself married and then holding my dear daughter in my arms.  That goal of counselor was pushed to the side as I had my second child, dealt with the aftermath of my mom's stage three breast cancer diagnosis, and my husband's pursuit of his dream as a police officer.  I was itching for. . .less.  Unbeknownst to her, my principal's words would echo through my head (again). . ."There isn't one road to get you to your goal.  There are several different roads that will eventually have you end up in the same spot--or an even better spot than you ever imagined."  

I had arrived.  I was at an even better spot than I could have imagined: Wife. Mother.  And then here I was sitting at the brink of yet another opportunity  for movement.  I could reduce my contract if I was willing to move down to the middle school, so I jumped.  And for five years I have worked tirelessly to engage my students and prepare them for the world that I know awaits them at the high school.  And this week, I begin to box up remnants of this life to prepare for my next move--one day a week teaching Social Studies with a job share partner.  And as I pack up, I think of my principal who we will celebrate tonight as she winds down her forty-one years of service to this district...I think of the number of lives she has influenced and touched. I feel privileged to have worked for her, to have been able to call her a mentor, a friend.

Part of  what makes walking away from this profession completely--difficult is because I love what I do.  The other part is I love people like her, who I work for.  So, I count my lucky stars and thank God for providing me these opportunities to work at some level, yet do the work that matters most to my heart now at home. . .and my principal was right. . .  it's an even better spot than I ever imagined.

Since this was in your slideshow, I figured you wouldn't be too mad if I posted it for memory's sake here: )

Congratulations on your retirement, S.  Your commitment to teachers and students is what made you stand out from the rest!  Enjoy this road --I hope it holds joy beyond anything you could ever imagine!  May blessings abound!