Finding Joy

“We will like our jobs next week.” This is what my principal told me as we were leaving to go to an early morning training with other administrators and teachers in our district. As I sit here, I am replaying the conversations I had in the past week or two and am swiftly coming to the conclusion that education is just a really hard field to be in. Oftentimes, especially in drought seasons, or seasons where it seems as if everything is harder than the year before, we find ourselves in moments of wondering what it’s like to not be in a job that's so incredibly stressful. What we, or at the very least I, fail to ask is “what would these kids have if it were different leadership”, or “who would have talked that kiddo off the ledge if I wasn’t here”, or “who would be here to make sure our teachers are getting what they need, when they need it?” 

When times are difficult, we look past the hugs, funny stories, and memories made with some of the most awesome human beings in the world. We are only able to focus on the overwhelming wrongs and arguments that we will never win. 

This is not the truth however. It is the truth that those who want you to fail will believe, but the reality is, your students want you to be successful. If you are successful, they will be successful. Parents want you to take care of their babies. If they are safe, they can learn. Teachers want you to be funny, sarcastic, and fun-loving because if it weren’t for the light moments, the heavy moments would crush their spirit and passion. Admin needs you to be strong and confident in your decisions so they know the foundation is firm. 

Joy comes in all shapes and sizes. Joy comes when hard tasks are completed. Joy comes when a chronic absentee student shows up to school for the third day in a row. Joy comes when my personal kiddos run to find me at the gate upon dismissal. Joy isn’t always obvious but it's always there.