First Day of School...

The first day of school. For the first time in many years, I was not a part of it; I was an outsider, not a teacher. This morning was especially difficult for me. It was hard to concentrate at work. Tears were just a breath away. For the past 12 years, I have seen myself as a teacher. It wasn’t just my job, it was who I was. I was a teacher. My daughter, Sarah, can’t remember me ever being anything else. I’ve been a teacher since before she started Kindergarten. I’ve even taught her for 3 of her 4 high school English classes. Today, she started her senior year and I’m not a teacher. Today, I’m an Advertising Sales Rep (and a damn good one, but still…).

The State of Alaska has suspended my teaching license until next May as punishment for breaking my contract in the bush this spring. Actually, it’s just a slap on the wrist. Usually, teachers in the bush who break their contracts get their Alaska teaching license permanently revoked. Most don’t care since they’re from the lower 48 and headed back there anyway. But, I see Alaska as my home. When the State asked for my response to the complaint issued from the Lower Kuskokwim School District, I wrote them a four-page letter, complete with names and dates, about my experience in Kwethluk. The resulting one-year suspension was really a gift and I felt like I needed some distance from teaching anyway. But, I left teaching five months ago. I think I would have been ready to go back today. That wasn’t an option.

However, I do have other options. I am a part of a terrific program sponsored by the Rec Room which is a local teen sanctuary sponsored by the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Center. I have been asked to participate in a teaching capacity in their FORK (Fresh ORganic Kitchen) program with other local chefs – basic cooking classes for teens. Check it out at http://recroom.kbfpc.org. Also, I’m going to volunteer to help out with the High School Drama, Debate, Forensics (DDF) team this year as Sarah is going to be involved. Check it out at  http://www.homerddf.org.

I’ll be back on top of my game tomorrow at the Homer News. I’ll concentrate on my writing and volunteer at local high school events over the next year. I’ll keep an open mind and an open heart and see where this journey takes me.