10:30

While I might complain about grading essays, I truly am grateful for the decision I made eight years ago when I pursued education as my career choice. Originally, I had a degree in technical writing, but I hated every job that I took in that field. Most of it was done on spec for clients that ranged from major hospitals to Ivy League colleges to small non-profits. And I hated just about every job that I had because there was a lack of interaction with other people. So when the Girls were in the third grade, I took a job as an instructional assistant at a neighboring district and was hooked. Turns out I actually enjoyed working with middle school aged children, and I loved learning new things from the people that shared the space around me. Three years later, I left that position to work on my certification in education. Ironically, I was hired in the same building where I worked as an assistant.

Days run together after about the third week. I seem repeat myself to the point where I am sure that one day someone will find me in the corner muttering, "Your name, my name, English 7. period you have it, today's date . . . no punctuation," just to get the MLA heading down properly. Christ, there are some days that I consider getting that simple, four-line heading correct a major victory. I've worked out a dance to teach my kids the writing process, I've smacked my head against the board for emphasis, I've made kids cry for no reason other than saying, "I don't understand your writing," I've cried after kids tell me they couldn't get their homework done because their mother is dying of cancer, I've laughed so hard I thought I was going to puke, I've seen just about everything, I've heard just about every excuse. And yet . . . every day is a brand new day.

Whoever said, "Those who can, do, those you can't teach," never taught a day in their life

Yesterday, I was privileged and honored to chaperone an annual trip to New York City to see the Martha show taping for our school's television production class. The students come from all walks of life and offer a unique glimpse into the future that awaits us in 20 years. Part of me is frightened - I've seen them eat and heard their jokes - but a bigger part of me can't wait. Our future is more than bright . . . and for that I am so grateful.

Jill

PS - I'll get a video up sometime this week from both the New York trips - Dave's and my trip and the Martha trip . . . after all, I still have those essays to grade