Love Your Life?

As I sit here after a grueling 15 hour day, I am reminded of a conversation I had with the para who is in my room for an hour a day. She received her bachelor's from a small private Christian college in Florida and taught in the primary grades for a few years in a private school there. She and her husband moved here over the summer for his job. She assumed she'd resume teaching once she could obtain a Colorado license. Well, long story short her school is not accredited outside the state of Florida. Therefore, according to the state of Colorado, she does not have a bachelors, much less a valid teaching license. She told me that they basically told her that if she wants to teach in a public school here, she'll have to take 4 years of college again and repeat her student teaching. She basically had the attitude that if she had to redo her college years again, maybe it was time to try something new.

She made me question, "If I had the choice to do something different, would I?" She is in an interesting position. If she chooses to return to school for another bachelors, she could choose to be anything she wanted. I suggested nursing, but really her options are endless. I wonder, if I was not already waist-deep in my own "life choice," would I choose this again knowing what I know now? Would the long hours and feelings of inadequacy and futility steer me in a new direction? Or, would the relationships I've developed with 27 special kids, my teammate, and my collegues trump my own frustrations and exhaustion?

I know I am lucky to be where I am in my life. I am fortunate that I am grounded and have a very fulfilling job to wake up to every morning. I have a consistent paycheck, a lot of time off, and more importantly, I feel like I'm doing something bigger than myself. That should be reason enough to love my job and my life, right?

I am currently working on LOVING MY LIFE, as Michael Rossback states. This means reminding myself of the funny anecdotes that my students have blessed me with, my wonderful friends that support my professional choice, and God for His purpose for my life. With time, and a little red wine, I think this semester will be more successful and motivating than this past one.

Quotes:
-A student was starting to read the classic, Sarah, Plain and Tall. Upon examining the cover and title, he states, "Geez this must ba a really new book!" "Um, why's that," replied teacher. "Well, duh. It's about Sarah Palin. How old can it be then?" :) Is it wrong that I was simply relieved that he didn't add or omit letters to that word?