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Sometimes You Get a Do-Over

Well, now. The school year has been back in full swing for two weeks now, and we've all survived to enjoy our first long weekend. Everyone keeps asking about how it feels to be back at work and wonders about the behavior of my students. I switched to a different department this year, and so far I am happy with it. I'll spare the details because they aren't interesting at all to anyone who doesn't teach (and only minutely interesting to my fellow educators).

If you know me, you know that teaching in the public school system was never in my plan for my life. However, there's no doubt in my mind that I was destined to do this for whatever limited time I give to it.

I taught seventh grade for four years, and I it was an extremely healing experience for me. Many things that happened and conversations that occurred helped me soothe the wounds that I incurred during my own seventh grade year. Wounds that followed me well into adult hood.

I've always said that I needed to teach eleventh grade for the same reason. That was the year that my life as I knew it completely fell apart. Even now, when I look back at that time, I see nothing but blackness. When I think of the decisions I made in that haze of darkness...

In the words of my favorite Spanish rock band (Pereza), "that's life."

The point of this is that I'm teaching eleventh grade this year. Not only am I teaching, but I am also the junior class sponsor. That means I get to be part of the homecoming and prom planning.

And I'm so flipping excited!

So many experiences for me lately have been do-overs. It's like God has given me the chance to live what was lost for me.

And I'm so flipping grateful!

Comments

Christy said…
Wow. That's beautiful. I can't wait to hear what this year holds for you.

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