Teaching is a roller coaster. I have so many amazing moments. Last week our haunted house opened for the other students. Hearing the screams of those walking through was so awesome. I was so proud of my students. Then Friday I took a small group on a field trip. They knew we were going to the art museum. What they didn't know until we were on our way was an awesome haunted house. Seeing their excitement and gratitude was worth all the sacrifices to get them there.
Then there are the moments where I realize why teachers like me don't last very long. I take a lot of risks. I put my neck on the line to give my students opportunities others may think they no longer deserve. If things go wrong, those opportunities will disappear. I disappear. It's not just burnout that I put myself at risk for (and I feel that's less of an issue for me because I LOVE my job), but at risk of losing my job because I'm too much of a risk for the administration. They have been so supportive so far, but a few bumps in the past week are reminding me that it can quickly change.
Today I had a student advocate for me to an administrator. Totally made me feel like I've done something right.
