I am ready

School buildings have souls.  They have personalities, too.  And to clarify, I am not being cleverly metaphoric about the individual people within them.  Really.  This is not just the demented English teacher in me saying this for fun.   School buildings have deep, rich, fragile souls.

The first time I walked into this school - at which I now begin my ninth year - it had a phenomenal synergy.  It wasn’t a new building, but it was glowing with an aura of positivity that was electrifying.  The longer my interview went, the more intense that feeling became.  The man interviewing me was asking tough questions; I am not sure he smiled more than once or twice. The next day he offered me the job.  What a life-changing event deciding to accept it was! The first time I walked into what would become my classroom, I saw the most hideous green tile flooring, bare walls, and empty desks in boring rows.  What I felt was much different.  This undeniable, magnetic synergy was already wrapping me up and offering me a part in the whole. 

For the last few years that synergy has been missing from my home away from home.  As the years rolled on and the building’s once electric soul was sapped of its amps, I felt drained as well.  I worked hard at recharging me and my students by clinging to the energy that was left, but some days I failed.  Miserably.  I began to question everything I was doing, everything I was feeling, and everything I was thinking.   For the first time in 19 years (Um…what?  19??) I wasn’t sure I was in love with my career anymore. 

As this school year begins, I am beyond thrilled to say that this building is once again a pulsing, thriving, electric soul! Yes, we are still burdened by political mumbo-jumbo that can take its toll, but I found myself nearly drawn to tears today as our leader gave us his last few words of encouragement and preparedness for the most important part of what we do…mentoring the children and young adults entering our midst.    What an empowering feeling it is to once again feel the building come alive with passion, excitement, and unyielding dedication to give these kids everything we have! 

So…I guess I am being cleverly metaphoric. (Ok…maybe not so clever, but you get my point!)  Bottom line?  I am grateful for the recharge that has happened to me.  I am grateful for the recharge that has happened to other individual people in this place.  I am grateful for the recharge that has happened to this building…to this soul.  And you know what else?  I don’t think this building’s soul is so fragile anymore. Synergy.  It’s a real thing.  I am ready to contribute to it.  Are you?