Recently, I went back to my old neighborhood. My husband and I were taking our evening walk, and I desperately needed to use the restroom (those of you over 40 may understand this!). We had picked up the pace, and were power walking back toward the house where we were staying. Then… with no warning, she came at me!
One of my former students was out in her front year with her boyfriend. Before I knew it, she was leaping at me and throwing her arms around me in a giant bear hug. This was followed by her pulling and tugging on me to show me to her boyfriend as her “favorite teacher!”
Now, don’t misunderstand. I loved every minute of this encounter. She went on to tell me how much she loved my class and my teaching and how I impacted her life! She called out her mother, and we all had a wonderful conversation for the next 30 minutes until we realized the sun was setting and we had to get back.
But… I desperately had to go to the restroom! So, after our wonderful meeting, I almost ran back to the house with my husband trailing behind, laughing at me the whole way.
Now, my sentimental side sees so much more to this. She really appreciated all I did to reach her and teach her and push her! She is headed to a wonderful college and she feels prepared because of me! She was a wonderful student, yet of all the teachers she had in her academic career, she places me at the top! I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful student. I am so lucky to be in a profession where I will continue to teach and reach, and hopefully inspire, my students each year! I am appreciated! I am valued!
But still, my humorous side says, “Wow! I really needed to go to the bathroom! And there were a few moments there where I almost thought I would… right then!” 🙂 Oh, the perils of teaching!
Happy Teaching!
Hilarious. I would have just asked her if it was okay for me to use her bathroom.