When you don't feel like returning from Spring Break, remember..

Dear Educators,

I love reminiscing. Maybe that is why I love the app, Timehop so much. However, today the reminders I got when I opened the app on my iPhone this morning were much more sentimental than I expected. Included under “8 YEARS AGO” was this blog post:

My blog...

As I read through the post, I was astounded at the struggles the school was having. I’m not sure why I’m so surprised, especially since I lived through them. Maybe it’s because I’ve lost some touch of reality over the past eight years.

Here I am with mixed emotions going back from Spring Break- the quickest week of the school year. It’s so easy to enjoy the relaxation that is associated with having a break from the chaotic environment of the average American school. However, this post reminded me of something- why I even entered the field education in the first place.

A little over eight years ago, I was an American girl living in a low-income area of Cairo, Egypt volunteering at a school for Sudanese refugees. Much to the dismay of my parents (and probably many others), I decided to defer law school for a year after undergrad and moved across the world. And then it happened…

I fell in love…

with teaching.

Some might complain about the state of the American education system (and I’m not saying that there isn’t any reason to complain), but let me paint a small glimpse of where I found my passion (if the blog post didn’t already give you an idea). I was teaching multiple subjects in a crowded second grade classroom where kids ages 6-19 sat on crowded benches. I would write down math problems on a whiteboard that was leaning up against the wall while students used pencils sharpened down to the eraser to copy whatever I wrote. We barely spoke the same language, but somehow, we seemed to understand each other.  Oh and I can't forget about my adult students- I loved those guys. I encourage you to check out the rest of the blog if you want to see more.

However, my reason for writing isn’t to make this comparison about how hard other places have it and that we should be thankful for what we have. While I absolutely agree with that idea, I wanted to remind you of something.

This was my classroom then…. This is my classroom now.

My students complained about doing work then…They complain about doing work now.

My students argued with each other in the classroom… They argue with each other now.

My students made me laugh then… They make me laugh now.

I went home tired every single day… I go home exhausted now…

I started two new schools there… I’m working on two new programs now…

I had papers to grade and projects to do then… I have papers to write and projects to do now…

Nothing is really that different.

Yet, I complain more now. My mindset is focused on the exterior, not the interior. Why? I’m not sure I have an answer. But I can tell you this- when all you have is your students and everything else is stripped away, you are quickly reminded of why teaching is so important.

Today I was reminded of that- why teaching is so significant. You are changing lives.. Whether you are in a beautiful classroom in suburbia or a cramped classroom in dusty Cairo- you are changing lives. We are changing lives.

And it’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I pray that I never forget my humble beginnings in Cairo- not because it taught be to be thankful, but it taught me to be a teacher. Not because it prepared me to be a principal, but because it prepared me to be a passionate person.

As I head back from Spring Break, I am going to be reminded of this post. And maybe my post won’t be what you need to remember why you became an educator, but find something that does. 

And cherish it as you cherish your students.

Sincerely,

Me.