A Teacher

School has been in session for almost a month now and already I am up to my eyeballs with countless tasks to accomplish. But as I was sitting here after a productive rehearsal with my cast and a fun homecoming carnival with my students I need to express gratitude for what I am blessed to do. I know I often talk about how fortunate I am and how much I love being a theatre teacher. Honestly, the words aren't enough.
Every day I get to work with some of the most amazing individuals. Every day I am inspired and challenged by them. Every day I laugh with them and sometimes cry with them. They make me feel like I am a rock star and the funniest, most talented individual on the planet.
They share their dreams with me, their hopes, their fears, their problems. And I try to help them realize just how amazing they are. That they can achieve anything as long as they work hard and treat others with kindness.
Teachers get a lot of unnecessary abuse from public opinion and the legislature. The hours are long, the pay is minimal and the requirements are huge. It is hard to be a teacher for those reasons- the constant scrutiny and the undermining of the profession (although I challenge ANYONE who believes that we teach because we cannot do to spend a week as a teacher in a classroom, it will forever change your viewpoint). Even though it's a hard profession- I can't imagine doing anything else. I teach because I love.
It is the most magical thing in the world- to witness these kids learn lessons everyday that will help them become wonderful adults.
I am blessed beyond words.

Loving Other People's Kids

Here I sit at the beginning of another school year realizing that I never did quite blog about the amazing things that happened at the end of the year before my kids graduated. I always meant to, but with grad school and the numerous projects- time just slipped away. So this blog is the first with others to follow.

I'm not quite sure how to begin. Last year was one of the most difficult and amazing years of my life. I jumped into grad school with both feet without ever having planned for it and as a result, I had piled way too much on my plate. And these kids were my saving grace. I love them all so much. I truly think without them I wouldn't have survived. The kept me sane, loved me and made the year one I won't forget. I've never been blessed with my own children, and that has been hard. However, it is truly an amazing experience and privilege to love other people's kids. And these kids. These kids.

They are some of the finest people I know and I am simply in awe of their talent, compassion, work and spirit. Together we did the impossible.

The last blog I posted was about tour. Shortly after tour was the State Drama Competition and we were competing with the show "Hole in the Sky" which is about 9/11 and is told from the perspective of the people above impact in the first tower that was hit. I knew it would be a difficult piece but an life-changing experience for the kids. It was a rough go at first because it demanded so much of them emotionally. I remember one day when we were rehearsing in the little theatre (and set off the fire alarms when we opened the doors into the hall with our smoke machine) how proud I was of their work. I pushed and pushed and pushed and we ran together. I wouldn't accept mediocrity and they rose to the occasion. At State we won Best Ensemble. I love that. Ensemble work to me is the most important part of theatre. I couldn't think of a higher or more deserving compliment. The pictures speak for themselves- what I love most about these pictures is the facial expressions and energy from the kids. Enjoy "Hole in the Sky"-

Seriously though. How awesome is it that I get to be the person to help teach these kids empathy and what it means to be human. I hope you could feel some of the emotions in the pictures. I am in awe of what I get to do sometimes, it is difficult work, but the rewards dwarf the difficulties. Doing this show, with this group of kids is one of my most precious memories.
I am honored that I have the opportunity to love these kids.