Homecoming week

This last week was Jayweek at my school: Jayweek is the equivalent to homecoming week for other schools, we just have it late because we don't have a football program.  It has been awhile since I have been involved in a high school homecoming, and it was definitely my first as a teacher.  It was of course a lot of fun and I enjoyed all the activities, but what I really enjoyed was the sense of community brought about by my wonderful school.

The week's activities included: hallway decorations, dodgeball games, a Mr. Jayhawk competition, and a faculty vs. seniors basketball game.  I came from a high school of 1700 students, so I was interested to see how a school of 175 students would put together a homecoming week.  Every day there was a different theme for dressing up, and I was really surprised to see that every student participated.  It didn't matter if you were a theater kid, an athlete, a cheerleader, a musician, or a simple freshman.  But, every student participated as one, and every student regardless of group and affiliation became united.

I am always interested to see how such a small group of students interacts with one another.  Many of these students have been in the same private school system since they were in kindergarten, so to say that they have became familiar with one another would be an understatement.  Every student at St. Joseph's knows everyone's name.  They routinely talk and communicate with the vast majority of the student body, and for the most part everyone gets along with one another.  That isn't really the high school that I remember.  I remember going to school and seeing my group of friends and talking to them, I remember not knowing everybody's name, nor did I care to know all their names.  I had a wonderful high school experience, I loved it, but I would be lying if I said I enjoyed it as much as my students enjoy theirs.

This week was one of the best weeks I've ever had in my brief experience of teaching.  I was still able to teach a lot of different lessons, but I loved the atmosphere of the week.  The students were of course extremely energetic, but it was a good energy.  I was able to participate in a lot of the activities of the week, and it was such an honor to be a part of all of it.  I mentioned to one of my colleagues that this was a good time to have Jayweek because it rejuvenates the student body in a tough time of the year.  Little did I know that it helped rejuvenate me as well.  I always have a passion for teaching, but now I am ready for the home stretch of the year.  I can't tell you how amazing it was to see all of my students enjoying their week, and regardless of what was going on in their personal life, for a brief second they were able to forget about it, and just enjoy being a kid.  I am convinced I have the greatest job in the world, and I love my school more and more with each passing day.  It is usually me that tries to teach my students a lesson or two, but it is safe to say that this week they taught me one.  I needed help in remembering that it is okay to stop and enjoy life and put your troubles aside, and it is okay to band together with those around you and just enjoy being where you are at that very moment.

The homecoming week is over, and it is time to get back to the normal routine of things.  I know that for the next 17 weeks of school, I will remember this week and remember the beauty of my career.  I hope all of you reading this can find a job that you love going to each and every day, and if you already have that in your life, consider yourself lucky.  It is amazing to me how much of a difference it makes when you enjoy what you do.  As for me, I needed this week to help remind me just how much I love my life, and all those in it.