Why do I do it?

Another school year is almost here. Every year in June I swear, "This is my last year!" I have been saying that for at least twenty years. Those words exit the mouth of a very exhausted teacher. It is not the voice of reason speaking. After summer vacation I am energized, rejuvenated.

Retire? No way. The adoration of my preschool students and witnessing their individual growth and development are perks that make my job worthwhile. When they move on to kindergarten, my former students, who were like puppy dogs following me around, morph into aloof 'cool cats'. They stand quietly in the big-school hall and nod in my direction. If I mosey over for a hug, they nuzzle me and purr a greeting, but they no longer circle me, and yap happily all at one time. They live by big kid rules.

Each fall when I begin a new school year, I know in my heart that I have the dream job, the job that I have desired since I was ten years old. To awaken a love of learning in a young child is to foster a life-long thirst for knowledge.

I teach more than the pre academic concepts. I envision each little child as the adult he or she will become; therefore the greatest subject I teach is the Golden Rule. If students master but one thing, I say let it be this one rule, for learning to treat others as you would like to be treated is equivalent to paving the yellow brick road to future success.

I am not the wizard, nor am I a wicked witch. I do instill courage in the cowardly, fill little brains with knowledge, foster self-esteem, and I have been known to cackle. I prepare little tykes, who sometimes act like flying monkeys for the rigors of big school. I do this because I see positive results.

When the elementary schools have days off and preschool is in session, several of my former students, who range in age from five to fifteen, come back to visit me in the classroom. It’s rewarding to know that I have had an impact, and it is proof positive that I do have my dream job. I’ve been providing developmentally appropriate, comprehensive education experiences for more than three decades; no way am I planning for retirement. It's incidences like the following that keep me coming back.

Tommy, 3, had speech issues and would not participate at show and tell; for months I could not draw him out. Then one day he came in chattering non stop, so I immediately called everyone to show and tell.

Tommy: "My mama's water pipe broke."

Me: "Oh no. Where?"

Tommy: "Her water pipe broked in the kitchen."

Me: "Tell us more. What happened?"

Tommy: "Baby Gus slid right out Mama's water pipe onto the kitchen floor and I said,

'Mommy-Mommy-Mommy', and she said, 'Tommy-Tommy-Tommy, dial 911.' So me did."

True story! Tommy talked non-stop after witnessing his brother's home birth.