With most of the students gone this week for Science Camp, it has been a chance for me to work on advance planning and fine tuning for the upcoming speech unit. It also has allowed me some quiet reflection time as I work.
One of the reasons I choose to come to Old Orchard was because I was offered the chance to really teach. With small class sizes and the expectation that I create the curriculum, I saw an opportunity to go back to what I love to do. I am glad I made the move to come here. I have said it many times, but I will say it again, I really like teaching your kids. They are bright, friendly, and they write better than many educated adults. The student body is filled with characters, people in their own right, who have found their niche here, and who thrive on the culture of OOS.
Being here for two plus years, though, has shown me more about why I like it. I fit in here because Old Orchard is filled with a wide variety of unique personalities like mine. We don't spend a lot of time trying to figure out how we will integrate different populations and make them feel at home, because we are all very different, and those differences serve as something like an equalizer. We are all pretty different, so how can we single out one difference over another?
But beyond our differences is the dedication I see-- that really is a primary thing we all have in common. On staff, I can think of several who speak a few languages, several who have been born other places, several who have had significant successes in other fields. It shows, too. No where else have I worked with a staff who has been so able to hold students to such an academically successful standard as they are here. I dance with joy sometimes at the writing ability of these kids, but that is just the piece I see. Our kids blow other schools out of the water with their science, math and other abilities. In fact, I know the robotics challenge is this weekend, and I would bet that our kids make an exceptional showing. I am constantly in awe of the people I work with at this school, and consider myself fortunate to be among this group of professionals.
Sometimes it is really hard to be a teacher, it isn't glamorous or lucrative, nor does it come with the perks of travel or even the fancy little gifts one gets when one goes to conventions. Education, though, is a part of who I am, and I don't see myself doing anything else. This place lets me teach-- and I get to teach the best kids with the best staff.
They are almost back, the kids, and I am glad. They will return from the week away tired and happy, another successful week of hiking, learning and bonding with each other. I miss them.
