A New Batch

That title seems familiar; I've probably used it before. While I love meeting new groups of students, it's hard saying goodbye to the last ones. With my class tonight, in particular, it was difficult. Many of these students (about half) took the first half of freshman composition with me earlier in the summer, so I've seen them every week for the past three months. Several of those who were in my earlier class -- and many who weren't -- were coming back to school for the first time in many years. All of them expressed their gratitude and relief that I had been their teacher. One in particular, who had been away from college for twenty years, began to cry when she told me how much I had helped her. She was the same one who did the phenomenal presentation last week. Of course, when she teared up, I did too. I've never had so many hugs from students as I did tonight. I'm happy for my students and their moving on toward their educational goals. But I'm more happy for myself; how lucky am I to get to do this?! Next week I'll meet a few more batches, and the week after that a few more.

Every student I have in class leaves a little something behind that sticks with me -- good or bad. Each one gives me something that makes me a better teacher or, sometimes, a better person. I am so grateful to have found my calling. Parenting has been my favorite job ever, but teaching is a close second.