Monday
Jan252010
The end of an era.
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 7:32PM
Today marked the end of an important era in my life.
This is the desk I sat at for years as I planned lessons and graded papers.
This is where I made many Powerpoint presentations for my students, emailed parents, and typed up assignments.
Like many large American high schools today, teachers often have to share rooms because of space constraints. I taught in different classrooms during the day, but always had this office space to come back to.
This is where students could come find me to ask questions about the 14th amendment Due Process Clause or the roles of interest groups in American government.
This is where my colleagues would come to ask me a random question about the Great Lakes or synthetic motor oil or the middle name of Britney Spears' younger son, and see if I knew the answer.
This is where I brought twelve years of teaching experience to the table, where I talked students down off emotional ledges, where I administered makeup tests, and just last week, where I informed a senior varsity basketball player that he wouldn't be eligible for the rest of the season because he failed my Law class. Not every moment of teaching is triumphant.
This is where I came when I got up before sunrise each day, where I looked out the window and crossed my fingers that it would snow, where I shut the window when I discovered a hornet's nest living in the eaves just outside.
This is where I laughed with my friends every day, where I played practical jokes, where I yelled, "NOT IT!" every time the phone rang.
This is where the papers piled up, where the student projects overtook my shelves, where I put my feet up while grading the 180th essay of the day.
This is much cleaner than it normally was.
This is what my office looked like after I finished cleaning it out today.
This is where I turned my head and swabbed at the tears beginning to form, pressing hard so they wouldn't have time to run down my face.
This is where I hugged the 13 other members of my department, good friends, allies, and talents.
This is where I typed my leave form, letting my supervisors know that I would be taking a hiatus from the classroom at the end of the semester, when students change teachers anyway, and when the impact on my school would be minimal.
This is where I met with my replacement, handing over years and years worth of materials and hard work. Where I talked about how to teach the difference between fiscal and monetary policy.
This is where I said goodbye to an era, the era of High School Teacher.
This desk was my home for a good time, a good long time. This school was my home for more than half of my teaching years.
Today I am mourning the end of an era.
Tomorrow begins a new era, the era of Full Time Yarnista.
Today was hard, but tomorrow will be better.
Full Time Yarnista, I like the sound of that.
This is the desk I sat at for years as I planned lessons and graded papers.
This is where I made many Powerpoint presentations for my students, emailed parents, and typed up assignments.
Like many large American high schools today, teachers often have to share rooms because of space constraints. I taught in different classrooms during the day, but always had this office space to come back to.
This is where students could come find me to ask questions about the 14th amendment Due Process Clause or the roles of interest groups in American government.
This is where my colleagues would come to ask me a random question about the Great Lakes or synthetic motor oil or the middle name of Britney Spears' younger son, and see if I knew the answer.
This is where I brought twelve years of teaching experience to the table, where I talked students down off emotional ledges, where I administered makeup tests, and just last week, where I informed a senior varsity basketball player that he wouldn't be eligible for the rest of the season because he failed my Law class. Not every moment of teaching is triumphant.
This is where I came when I got up before sunrise each day, where I looked out the window and crossed my fingers that it would snow, where I shut the window when I discovered a hornet's nest living in the eaves just outside.
This is where I laughed with my friends every day, where I played practical jokes, where I yelled, "NOT IT!" every time the phone rang.
This is where the papers piled up, where the student projects overtook my shelves, where I put my feet up while grading the 180th essay of the day.
This is much cleaner than it normally was.
This is what my office looked like after I finished cleaning it out today.
This is where I turned my head and swabbed at the tears beginning to form, pressing hard so they wouldn't have time to run down my face.
This is where I hugged the 13 other members of my department, good friends, allies, and talents.
This is where I typed my leave form, letting my supervisors know that I would be taking a hiatus from the classroom at the end of the semester, when students change teachers anyway, and when the impact on my school would be minimal.
This is where I met with my replacement, handing over years and years worth of materials and hard work. Where I talked about how to teach the difference between fiscal and monetary policy.
This is where I said goodbye to an era, the era of High School Teacher.
This desk was my home for a good time, a good long time. This school was my home for more than half of my teaching years.
Today I am mourning the end of an era.
Tomorrow begins a new era, the era of Full Time Yarnista.
Today was hard, but tomorrow will be better.
Full Time Yarnista, I like the sound of that.
Reader Comments (39)
Congratulations, Sharon!
Firstly for waking up at 7:30.
Secondly for being such an awesome teacher.
Thirdly for being such a lovely Yarnista to us.
Lastly for being the sweetest FTY ever :)
I am not sure how such a creative woman functioned in that cold space. I am so glad that you are able to make this change in your life and explore the artistic side of your soul. May your success be as bountiful as your gift and your kindness in sharing it.
Wow! My heart skipped a beat for you. As someone who left a job where she felt very fulfilled and useful for one that is a different kind of fulfillment (full time mom), I send you my hugs and support.
Welcome to our Full Time Yarnista!
Every ending is a new beginning.
Congratulations on your success at both efforts. :)
Full time yarnista! Fantastista!
I'm so happy for you! Indulging in Yarnista creativity full time - how fabulous is that!? Transitions are very hard... I was in tears at the end of your post... but it's so great you can devote yourself full-time to a creative pursuit that you love.
Full time Yarnista! Live the dream, baby! I know it was a hard decision to make and I, for one, am thrilled you chose the Yarnista business. Now we don't have to worry so much about your wearing yourself out with overworking.
This is the end of the term for me and I'm still correcting...you are my HERO!!!!!
Congrats Madame Yarnista! I'm so very proud of you and pleased for you!
Love you Sharon! Great post! It's gonna be a great era! Your work is a blessing, wherever you do it! Thanks for the tear-jerking, too, geez, my husband thinks I'm a dork.
High School's loss is our gain. Sometimes what you need to do is to take that courageous step knowing that there isn't necessarily a safety net under you. We're still in awe of you and respect you and admire you. Your previous struggles and triumphs have marked you in a way that the dye never will. You made your mark in one sphere, and now you're leaving your mark on a group of similarly unruly (but better behaved) students. But at least we appreciate art class. Long live the Yarnista.
The comments of those you've taught here show how much you've impacted so many lives. As you know, I've learned a lot from you and you've helped me through a difficult time in my life.
I know the bittersweet feelings of leaving those you have come to love, a second family with many kids.
You have lived this quote:
"Make you the world a bit better
For you have lived in it."
Edward Bok
If you're ever in Florida, Bok Tower Gardens are great. You'll learn a lot. ;-)) Tell me if you go because I live about an hour from there.
I'm behind on my blog reading, but I just wanted to wish you well as you take this step into full-time Yarnistahood! I'm sure it is a bittersweet thing. And honestly, I am stunned that you were still teaching! I had no idea you were still teaching...for all you do, I just assumed you were already a full-time Yarnista! You are truly superwoman!! :)
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