Steel and Fluff

There is no doubt that I love what I do.
I love teaching.
Though at times it breaks you down and breaks your heart,
there is nothing like spending time with kids who
laugh and cry and yes, throw fits, all in the same 5 minutes.
Still, there is nothing like it in the world...
and man is it a tough job.

It is the most gut-wrenching,
life-altering,
tear-producing,
and rewarding job in the world...
and it's not for the mushy souls.
In teaching, you have to be steel and fluff...
a combination of both that only teachers possess.
Over the past couple years it has been quite a challenge.
Some of the toughest moments in teaching have happened,
but no matter how tough it is,
it's worth it.

It's worth it when you see a kid proud of their work.
When they pump their fists in the air
after revising and revising their writing,
finally getting the scores that they had been working for.
When they smile, laugh, and snort.
When they genuinely ask you about someone in your family, with a simple,
"Are they okay?" with that look of concern
and worry plastered on their face.  
When they write you a note of thanks
that makes you teary and laugh at the same time.
Nothing can get me to tears like kindness.

It's worth it when a kid sees you down the hall
and comes running for a hug because, well, they just need one.
When they are standing in line at recognition, nervous, hoping that they don't fall,
and look to you for reassurance that it will be okay.
It will be okay, and they believe you without a word being said...
just a smile, nod, and a thumbs-up is enough for them to know that it will.

It's worth it when you see them on the brink of adulthood.
As they parade through the hallways in their cap and gown,
a grin erupting from ear-to-ear.
Then they see you,
and that smile gets even bigger.
They hug you like you made a difference in their life,
and the greatest thing is just this...
you know that you actually did.

You see,
teaching is not just a job.
Yes, at moments it feels like the most difficult job in the world.
But then there are these brief, deeply impacting moments,
that make teaching the best job in the world.
As teachers it only takes these little moments
to make every other frustrating thing drift away into oblivion.

Steel and fluff.
That's what we are made of.
People may think that teaching is for the weak...
Those people are idiots.
I've seen the self-proclaimed "toughest" people,
completely lose it with a teenager.

Steel is working with them every day,
in a productive, yet loving environment.
Fluff is continuing to believe that they can do better
no matter what mistakes they make.

Teachers...

that care more deeply than most understand,

love without reason,

and celebrate all victories with the children of our world.

We are steel and fluff.

We are the teachers.