Not again

At the risk of sounding like a complete bawl baby, I am confessing that I teared up again in Walmart. That’s twice in one month…beat that! It’s kind of a long story but I think it’s worth telling.

I went to a teaching conference in San Diego last week. It was great. The conference was about a program that some school districts are implementing to get the “middle students” to college. We need to do better at giving them the skills, knowledge, and means to get into and do well in college. I got 5 whole days jam packed of new teaching ideas and can’t wait to use them in my classroom this year.

While we (the other teachers and I) were in San Diego we caught word that back home the news reported that a group of teachers were treated to a resort on the tax payer’s dollar and how bad the economy was. I was so mad. First of all, resort? Seriously? I would hardly call it a resort. Yes it was big and it had huge conference rooms. I guess if that makes it a resort then so be it. Second, we are required to have continuing education. We don’t get time off for it. We don’t usually get reimbursed for it. Heavens knows we don’t get salary raises to compensate for it. What are we supposed to do? I was steaming.

I was still steaming yesterday as I was at Walmart loading my cart with supplies for my classroom. We have already been told that there is no money so almost everything we want comes from our own pockets. I felt as though no one supports teachers. What message does this send to the students? People are so ignorant to what we have to go through and how much time and money we sacrifice. I continued my pity party as I waited in line to check out. The lady in front of me looked at my cart and smiled. “Teacher?” she asked. We had a very nice conversation about what I was buying, where and how long I have taught, and how no, I was not being reimbursed. She told me of her kids high school experience (they went to the same school where I teach). Before this sweet lady walked away, she turned to me and held out her hand and placed in mine a 20 dollar bill. “This is for the kids. Thank you for all you do.” I was shocked. Sure it’s just a 20. It didn’t pay for everything but the gesture created a major attitude change for me. I thanked her and she said, “You are welcome, just pay it forward.” I cannot wait for the day when I can pay it forward. Thank you. I don’t even know her name. To her it probably wasn’t even a big deal but I will never forget it. She helped me once again feel appreciated in a nation where educators usually don’t. Thank you.

So that is why I was a bit teared up as I walked to my car that Saturday afternoon.

p.s. We did manage to have a bit of fun on the nights off. We went to the beach multiple times and did the Seaworld thing right before we left. Thanks taxpayers! (Just kidding that one was totally our own money)