It brings me back to Louisville, where I first learned the routine. Louisville Nature Center, working in K-12 schools, weekends at a group home in New Albany, and graduate classes at night. When I first landed a single teaching job, I was so excited to simply know I only had one place to report. Alas, what they don't tell you about a teaching profession is that the 2nd job begins when you get home because you have to assess the day that just was and prepare for the day ahead.
I remember at Syracuse, a Dean and I sat together at a Women's basketball game, where he told me, "Academia is a way of life." He meant that, if you are a K-12 educator, you simply keep the flow going all day and all year. It never ends. The ocean continues to be emptied with the forks they give you.
That is why, when I think ahead and put together chicken in the morning that can stew during the day, I"m extremely thankful when I get home. No need for fast food or cheese/crackers. Nope, not popcorn for dinner. I made the broccoli and rice, heated up the chicken, and ate a good meal.
Granted, this is only week two of a new semester. We'll see how I can keep such pace as the semester goes on and I'm pulled in a million directions to put out dumpster fires.
I met the 2nd cohort of my students last night...beautiful human beings heading into elementary education, which is fun, but heavy. The elementary folk need to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of subjects. Helping them to maintain purpose and reason for why they chose teaching gets more complicated (especially when the demands of real teaching comes their way).
It's a calling, yes. It's a blessing, however, when you actually have a real meal at dinner...Even if it is almost at 9 p.m.
