Listening to the song “Closer” by Goapele reminds that what I am living for is not in vain. In previous blogs, I have expressed the frustration with my boss, my frustration with the educational system, with standardized testing and my frustration with America.
To some that may have sounded like bitching, complaining.. maybe whining. The economy is bad, I know! Some say "I should shut out my frustrations and be grateful to have a job". I feel like my passion has gotten construed with the frustrations. There are no "and/but's"...the truth is...it is much more than that. I have been frustrated beyond words for months because I love what I do for a living with my entire heart and soul.
Last night, at the Board of Education Meeting, I was reminded why I am so passionate about my life; my career-- education. We all have passions whether it be music, or poetry, or fashion, etc. Like many of us... the passion drives me and consumes me. It inspires me. It motivates me and it uplifts me. It also can anger the hell out of me! It is like a relationship- in that there are good and bad times. I can never see myself not being involved with education.
I went into education because I knew that I wanted to change the world, literally. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to give to kids what my teachers had given to me- a love for learning. I have always known that it was in my fate to teach.
Last night, I heard presentors from the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels discussing the future of our kids. We all were there for the same reason- our passion. It didn't matter the curricula we were teaching, the age of our students, the building we taught in, our personal philosophies of education... we were there for the same unspoken reason. I was reminded that I love education because of everything it encompasses- good, bad, indifferent. It's more than [Get them here, Get them fed, Get them home]. Education is life long.
The growth from year to year in a child is amazing. The world is ever changing. The kids in it are ever changing. It is my resposibility to continue to learn these changes so that I can do what I was supposed to do in my life; teach. I hope this blog clears up any confusion... education is my heart, my life, my passion.
