I earned my wages today. I’ve taught five lessons, sent letters out to the entire Year 7 cohort, ran rehearsals with my sixth formers and the day culminated in a very successful concert in which the students kicked ass.
And do you know what? I loved every minute of it. I’ve been so stressed out with the sheer level of coursework I’ve had to print off and file after being ill and tired for so long, that I almost forgot why I do what I do.
I must admit – I was dreading it earlier in the week. The students that I work with, while talented, are not exactly the most motivated when it comes to practising in their own time and I was concerned that we would get to the rehearsals and have lots of work to do, but they were absolutely brilliant, to the point where I had to stop myself from running over to them all and giving them a massive hug. They had invited their friends and family, who all applauded and cheered them when they had finished and the look on their faces when they were leaving was that of sheer pride. And I was proud of them too – I’ve watched them grow from squeaky 15 year olds into young adults, and I’m going to miss those that are leaving at the end of this year.
This. This is why I do the job. This is why I lose sleep, why I’m up early and go to bed late, why I have dreams about being in a school and not knowing where my classes are, why I have had to turn down nights out with friends… Days like today have reminded me that the sheer buzz that is to be gained from observing students achieving things far beyond even their own expectations makes it worth it.
I’ll sleep well tonight, and I’m sure they will too!
You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog
Suzie Speaks 
Such a sense of accomplishment should make you feel as good as you do 🙂
Thanks Tim!
This is one of the days when you realise that all the efforts have paid off. Congratulations on this successful day! 🙂
Thanks Karen!
Good for you, Suzie 🙂
It’s nice to get a reminder every once in a while why you do your job. Congrats.
Not many folks love what they do, hence your job is light and breezy in that way. So nice!
It’s so nice to be reminded of why we do what we do. When I was teaching music privately to a bunch of kids in The Woodlands, it was so stressful because it felt like none of them ever practiced. But to watch their recital, and not to hear their rehearsed pieces, but to see the smiles on their faces: that was my “why” moment.
What it’s all about, Suzie. Not long now till the well-deserved hols.x
So glad to hear this! I’ll bet your students feel how proud you are of them too.
Congrats on a job well done! I’m sure you are the caring teacher who has touched and formed many student’s life..now and in the future.
(*applauds*) Well done!
Nice post – that buzz is tough to beat! We had a coffee house at our school last night and it was so neat seeing students that were painfully shy at the beginning of high school, up on stage, performing with confidence.
Reblogged this on The Echo Chamber.
Thank you for reblogging!
That’s why I teach band as well. Those concerts that culminate into this huge, exciting reveal of their talents! I know it’s never perfect but that pride that shines through on tier faces… It’s lovely, isn’t it?
It’s such a great feeling isn’t it! I really enjoyed the look on their faces!