Teaching

So a popular topic keeps coming around in conversation lately in lots of places where I go...teaching. I have heard lots of things lately due to the recent pay-cuts and budgets....I hear...."Do you regret it?" "Do you wish you would have done something different?" "  " I guess they are getting ya'll for those summers off now huh?"   You name it...I have heard it and I have put a lot of thought into it lately. No I don't regret it. No I don't wish I could have done something different....unless of course my Nashville career could have taken off :)  . And technically we don't have summers off and receive a free  paycheck in the summer. They just spread our paycheck that we earn for 9 months over 12 months.  So for example if you make 100 dollars a month you would only get 75 so they could spread it out over the summer.
All that answered...I don't think you go into teaching for the money or the summers off....atleast good teachers don't. Teaching is a calling. Its something you know you want to do. I knew early...I tried to run from it and do nursing...but it found me again & again and I knew it was what I was supposed to do in my life. And I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. And that in itself is fulfilling. I love my job. I love the place I work. I love the people I work with and the people I work for. How many people can actually make those statements?
No I don't make a lot of money. Yes my paycheck in declining each year lately.  Yes I spend my own money on my classroom events. Yes I purchase things for my room all the time because the state and federal government no longer gives us a dime. Yes my work follows me home at night when I worry about a child. Yes  I work for free on any event that takes place after 3:15. NO I DO NOT REGRET IT.
I still feel called to teach. I still love to see those babies walk in that first day of school in their best outfit purchased from a Nana. I love little one that blinks back tears trying to be brave walking down that hall and looking back at the momma crying her eyes out in the lobby. I love to hear them singing our new songs after that first week of school and that first...I love you Mrs. Lowry....is PRICELESS and money could not buy it.
I love to hear that timid little voice sound out their first word and the light in their eyes when they realize THEY CAN READ! I love to figure out a huge letter string that is supposed to be a sentence and laughing when I finally realize what it says.
I love to tame that little boy who gets dropped off the first day and Dad yells back...you'll be calling me to come get him in a little bit. I love when he gets a little structure and it changes everything about him.
I love to see which little boy is just a lil country and decides to water the grass on his own at recess and which little girl cries at the top of the big slide that first time on the playground.
I love that everyday is different and everyday is what you make of it! I love that they still believe in magic and make-believe...leprechauns and elves and fairies! They listen to stories and they love to sing.
No everyday isn't perfect...some are just terrible...come see us in May:)  But the good days definitely outweigh the bad....anytime!  And even a bad day can be changed in an instant.
No I may never have enough money for a condo or lakehouse. I may never see a cost of living raise again. And I am sure people will say the say things the rest of my life...."I bet you wished you had done something different."
But I am sure my answer will still be the same...I love my job. I feel blessed to have it. Holidays & summers...yes they are a perk. Its great "mommy" time. But thats not why I chose this profession....it chose me!