Making an impact and being impacted

 I wasn't the one selected, but I was nominated for Teacher of The Year at my high school.  One of my colleagues came up behind me and said "See? I told you, they do love you here."  

Just a couple of days ago a staff member pulled me aside and said "you know that aura you had around you last year that I told you not to lose?  Well, you're losing it.  Don't lose it!"  

I am tired. I haven't been this tired teaching in a long time.  My classes are much better this year, because I have a bit better footing than I did last year.  Still, there's a lot of behavior management that is required of me; something I almost never had to worry about at Western Tech.   And while I'm coming out of it, I've been in a bit of a funk. I've been restless, irritable and discontented for a while, now.  But, like I said, I've been coming out of the slump and am doing the things. Then today happened.

So, lazy me ordered Domino's parmesean and garlic bites for the faculty potluck today.  Thankfully there were lasagnas and spaghetti so the bites were a success.  Then our principal read the names of those nominated for the recognition, and I heard my name.

These are moments when I realize I am where I am supposed to be right now.   Several years ago I had an premonition of sorts that I would be working at Milford Mill, though it would have never been by choice (reputation).  I'm also rewriting my own lessons for two levels of French because I can't stand to teach the lessons provided.  I'm either teaching, grading or planning from the time I get to work until a little while after the kids leave, no lunch break.  It should be better forth quarter, but this next quarter is going to be brutal.  Indeed, I am learning all sorts of new things about myself and about teaching.  

Oh, and about that reputation:  sorry y'all, it's 'bad' like they say it is.  We have good kids, I'm not gonna lie.  They may need more attention, but they're good kids.  Lazy little boogers, and some of them you gotta watch closely, but, that was me in high school, too.  Well, I was always talking. Imagine that.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share.