Nostalgia for my years of teaching; well, mostly

I recently attended back-to-school night at Rocky Mountain Middle School to help with a few things. The best part was watching students who had not seen one another all summer reconnect.

Middle school students rarely hide their excitement. Some were practically bouncing up and down when they spotted an old friend. High school students tried to be a little cooler about it, but the smiles and laughter still gave them away. There was real joy in those hallways.

Watching it all made me nostalgic for the many years I spent working in the classroom and library. I missed the students, the energy and the feeling that every day brought something new.

For a few hours, I wondered if I missed it more than I had realized.

Then the next morning came.

I imagined the school doors opening and wave after wave of students pouring into the building. I thought about the anxiety and responsibility of teaching, entertaining, encouraging and controlling middle and high school students hour after hour. Suddenly, my semi-retirement felt like a tremendous blessing.

Teachers have an incredibly difficult job. The actual teaching is demanding enough, but it is only part of what they are expected to do. State and local regulations, documentation, standards, testing, meetings and countless other responsibilities add hours of work that students and parents rarely see.

Nearly every teacher I know would happily teach forever if teaching were all they had to do. It is everything wrapped around the teaching that eventually becomes daunting.

Back-to-school night reminded me of what I miss most: the students, the laughter and the relationships built over many years. The next morning reminded me of everything teachers carry into the classroom each day.

I am grateful for the years I spent among them. I am also grateful that these days I can occasionally enjoy the excitement of school and then step back while others take on the hard work of another year.

Almost every one of us can remember a great teacher who encouraged us, believed in us or helped shape the person we eventually became. If that teacher is still around, reach out and let them know they made a difference. Teachers do not always get to see the lasting results of their work, and hearing those words may mean more to them than you realize.