Today was bittersweet for me. It officially marked the end of my sabbatical, but the beginning of new opportunity. My children started school today and I attended my first in-service of the year.
While I felt sad not to be there to put them on the bus and say goodbye, I knew they were in good hands with my husband. (I mean, who wouldn't be sad to leave these cuties???)
Though I am wistful that my year "off" is over, I am so grateful that I had it, and I am truly excited to meet my new students. As I hoped, I feel renewed and rejuvenated. Now entering my 18th year, I'm trying to hang on to the joy and passion that brought me to teaching in the first place.
And I know my kids will be ok. They will be resilient. They will use my "absence" to develop skills to help them be independent in the long run, which is my goal as a parent, after all. I want them to grow up and go off on their own (just hopefully not too far!) and have their own lives and families. So, while I would love to keep them little forever, they are growing up. They don't need me as much.
But you know who does? My students do. 😊 They need me to be there to teach them and help them to grow. Most importantly, they need me to be there to care for them and ensure that they get what they need, whatever that might be, no matter how big or small. So, I choose to be happy and excited about going back this year. Just like my kids did this morning.
In the same way I hope my children's teachers are present and invested in my kids each day, I am returning to my students. These kids were meant to be in my care, for we each have something to teach one another. Then at the end of each day with my kindergarten cuties, I get to come home to my own two cuties!
Wishing you and your families a wonderful school year!
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