Thankfully, I lasted through the day okay and actually felt good at the end. I was contemplating whether or not I should take today off to fully recover. I felt okay enough to come in. It was a good day. Rough days are rare to come by, thanks to a great class. Even the kids that seemed troublesome in the beginner are coming around. A lot of our donorschoose resources came in today and it made the day great. The children were excited to see the new things they'd be able to play with and the new books they'll soon get to read. After dismissal, I still had my second grade enrichment after school to go and the four mile run with Ms. Esther, Kevin, and Jay-qua-lin Markie Mark to get through. It was one of those feel good runs as opposed to those you just want to get it over with.
As I returned to school after the run, with my sweaty body and red face, I came back to more packages that were delivered during our run. YAY! I stayed a bit longer to open boxes, organize play tools, and stamp books. I left the school at around 6:10 with my ear buds on jammin' to the Wreck-It Ralph song by Owl City. When I entered my building, I went to check my mail. There was an elderly woman checking her mail as well. I noticed that she was trying to talk to me.
"Are you a teacher at the school next door?" She asked.
"Yes I am." I replied hesitantly. Hesitantly, because a lot of the people in my building like to complain about things no one can really control. Things such as our building management, noise from kids, airplanes, and growing old. To my delight, it was something positive.
"I watch you when you take your kids outside, and I love how you interact with them. I see the other females take the kids outside, convene with each other and not watch the children. But you, you're always playing with them. I see the little girls hold your hand as you walk around with them and it's adorable. Someone said you lived in the building and now it's a pleasure to meet you."
Thank you! Thank you, Anna from the fourth floor. My day was great but that helped end it even better. I love what I do and I'm glad people from our neighborhood are able to notice. For those who do not know, I live next door to my school. People are envious of the easy commute, but often ask if there are any negatives to living next door to your workplace. I haven't found any.
"But what if you want to take a day off and people see you when you're out?"
I never found a reason to take days off, unless I'm ill. I remember distinctly when I was interviewing for the teaching position with my principal and assistant principal using the fact that living next door, the school will be my second home from home as a way to attempt to sell myself over any other candidate. Now I see it as my first home.