HI-HO, HI-HO

Well, yesterday marked the end of my first full week back at work and I know that some of you have been wondering how it went. The short answer is that it went pretty well. Here's the long answer:

Two weeks prior to my return date, we started doing practice drop-offs at my mum's place, so that both the Chimp and I could get used to the idea of getting up at the crack of dawn and heading out of the house to spend the day apart. I can't express how much easier this was knowing that the baby was going to be with my mother. My parents have generously offered to be our daycare for the first year or so and there's no greater gift they could have given me. The Chimp loves being there and I'm pretty sure that my folks love having her - and of course I don't have to leave in tears and spend the day wondering if she's alright - win, win all round. I am concerned about the things that I may be missing while I'm at work - first steps and all that, but there's just not that much that can be done about it. I know that she's in good hand and as long as she takes those first steps, that's what counts - sure I'd like to be there to see them, but if I'm not, I'll be there for the next ones - I don't think she'll hold it against me.

So two weeks before the new semester, I headed into the school to get my stuff organized and ready for the first week, but when I got there, somebody was in my desk - ha! So I did what I could and came back again the next week (grudgingly, I might add). But I pulled things together and when the new semester started last Friday, I was good to go.

I thought that what I missed most about working was seeing my friends. You know how it is - a good group of co-workers can make a huge difference in any work situation, and my colleagues are pretty darn good.

As it turns out though, what I actually missed the most was the kids - go figure! Over the course of the week I have come to remember my pity for anybody who doesn't get to spend their day surrounded by teenagers - here was my A-ha! moment:

Wednesday morning, we are walking down a crowded hall, returning to the classroom after an assembly and one of my grade 12 boys, in passing, says: "Hey Mr. Warrener, What's poppin'?"

Now if you work in an office environment, and there's a guy you work with who says stuff like that, I'm willing to bet he's either creepy or annoying, but in this context, I suddenly felt a joy like I had not felt in a long, long while. I missed these kids! They are funny and interesting and challenging and just....I don't know, really great - even the one's who suck are pretty good.

I realize a lot of what I'm feeling is akin to the honeymoon phase of a marriage, but I'll take it. I've been teaching for close to 10 years now, and any resurgence in the happiness I felt when I first started teaching is a welcome change. Especially now that we (teachers) are, once again, in a position to be judged by the public.

I don't want to air dirty laundry online, but I will say this. Anybody who listens to the media and believes what they hear about teachers and the current contract negotiations is naive and grossly over-estimates the honour of the current administration. School boards, like other big businesses play dirty games and use the media and the public's lack of knowledge to their advantage whenever they can. Teacher's do the best they can despite the people in charge - please don't ever doubt that.

But I digress...

This week was a great start back to work for me. Yes, it took a lot of work. Yes, I am very fortunate to have a loving and very helpful family (including the Hubby and Mojo!) and Yes, fatigue is cumulative and I would like very much to face-plant into my bed for the entire weekend and not get up until Monday....but life goes on and I'm looking forward to going back to work next week....let's just hope I still feel that way 3 weeks from now!