Done. And totally worth every minute.

This year was a very very difficult year as a teacher.  For all teachers everywhere and for me personally.  

Pressures from the Federal government, the State, the school district, administrators, students and especially parents has made teaching about the worst gig going on around here.  It's truly sad that this is what it has come to for all these nurturing people who want to help and do their best.   

And me.  Me too.   (Because this is my blog and I write about my stuff.  Haha.) 

After much prayer and consideration this year, Hunter and I have decided that I will take a different road after this week. 

I am extremely lucky that I am Done.  DONE. 

It's quite hard for me not to get very descriptive right here, right now.  Hard not to complain.  Hard not to gnash out on all the unfair, unjust, completely dishonest events that have occurred this year because of naive, hurtful parents or a completely corrupt school district.  

So instead I will be happy.  And rejoice.  And reminisce on all the fabulous times and students and teachers and parents that I have been able to work with, to teach, and to love.  

I loved having my own classrooms where I could create, and build.

I loved chatting with teachers each day and working towards a common goal.

I loved warming the choirs up, showing them how to breath, how to form their mouth, how to "smile with their eyes".  

I loved that day when all the parts finally came together!  Even if it was just for one measure or one chord!  And everyone laughed and smiled once we heard that beautiful sound.  

I loved concert nights.  When everyone was dressed their best.  When we felt good as students and teachers- musicians-  andwalked off stage knowing that we had given our heart in that performance.  

I loved Monday mornings when we'd all talk about our weekends and get to know each other better.

I loved those special parents who gave so much of their time to help me and help the kids.  

I loved field trips.  Where we sang at the mall and shopped for Secret Santas and the Salvation Army and sang at the top of our lungs in the bus. 

I loved choir party days.  Mexican food.  Donuts. Chips.  Nina's bean dip. Puppy chow. And even pancake parties. 

I loved teacher luncheons where we could laugh and laugh and laugh and support one another with all that was required of us. 

I loved those times I taught drama.  The plays.  The musicals.  The late practices.  The cast parties.  The talent shows.  The lip syncs.  The monologues.  

Their faces when they saw the drama room for the first time.  

And most especially.  I love those students who made it all worth it. The ones who have confidence now that they are musicians.  The ones that would talk to me before class and during lunch.  The ones that went out of their way to help me out.  The ones that understood why we should work so hard.  And they saw that all that work was worth it. The ones that remembered due dates.  The ones that had water fights with me. The ones that cared for the kids who are left out.  The ones who tried out for solos.  The ones who when they sang they made me cry.  The ones who wrote me letters of gratitude and encouragement and love. The ones who begged to sing instead of have a "free day".  The ones who found their passion for music in my classroom.  

Some of those sweet SWEET children are forever engrained in my heart.  They make me know that my time as a teacher was completely and 100% worth it.  They make me cry as I write this and know that I will miss THEM.  Specific memories are clear in my head.  Memories that I will happily remember forever.   

So even though I am done.  I ache a little as I see this time in my life pass.  Because being a teacher, especially a music teacher, has been totally worth every minute.