value

Should I keep teaching? I have asked myself this question over and over during my period of unemployment. How many degrees does one have to acquire before she is valuable? Can I do other, more lucrative jobs? Yes. Would I be as happy working within one those money-making-careers? Nope. So I vascillate between teaching and the rest of the workforce. Until today. I received three Facebook friend requests from past students on Maui, and an email from a student who I was just talking about last night, one I felt like I should have helped even more. They said that I was their favorite teacher ever. That is a huge compliment, especially when the words said can in no way bring about a return for the student. Knowing that I still inspire students made me smile.

The clincher though for me was when my four year old nephew looked up at me and said "you are a good teacher," when he does not even know that I am a teacher. He touched my face as he said those words, and then climbed into my lap and gave me a big hug.