Motivation.

This week I started volunteering at the school that I did my internship at. It's been over a month since the last time I saw all my students. When I woke up Monday morning, I was feeling a little funky and a little off. Even my roommate Amanda noticed and mentioned in the kitchen "you seem a little off today." I was hopeful that my visit at the school later in the afternoon would perk me up, and it did just that.

Lunch hour was just finishing and the students were gathering books and papers out of their lockers as I walked down the hallway towards my old classroom. When they noticed me, there were yells of "It's Miss Dickinson!" "We missed you!" and I was bombarded with hugs and high fives. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face, and I replied over and over again "I missed you all, too!"

While sitting in the classroom working one on one with some of the students, I was reminded as to why I am in this program and completing a degree in Secondary Education: for the students. Witnessing their successes and enthusiasm motivates me to do my best everyday.

Before leaving, I had this conversation with my cooperating teacher:

Teacher: "How did you make out today?"

Me: "You have no idea how badly I needed this. Thank you." 

Teacher: "I noticed you were working with [student] today. I want you to know that [student] has been struggling putting anything on the page lately. Just having you here today motivated them to write a page and a half of their autobiography. That's says something about you." 

I left with a warmth in my heart and a smile on my face and a reminder of how motivational and rewarding the teaching profession is. Despite the fact that finding a job is proving to be difficult, I think that I've chosen the perfect profession.

"The best way out is always through."

- Robert Frost