I remember in 5th grade writing "I am..." poems. The idea was to make a compilation of characteristics, family traits, traditions, thoughts, dreams, and a million other things (ok, not a million but it was a lot for a 9-year-old energetic little girl) that defined who I was. I don't remember particularly enjoying it at the time, but now when I read that piece of work, I just beam. The poem shows a part of me; a past showing a glimpse of why I am who I am today.
So what has brought me to thoughts of a 5th grade writing assignment? An identity crisis. Well, not really, but I like to be dramatic. Every so often facts of my current position in life hit me. The most common? "Leanne, you live in freaken Colombia" and "Leanne, you are a teacher." Yes, these are seemingly obvious tiny tidbits, but those simple statements hold enough power to cause a stop in whatever I'm doing and make me consider my life. It's like these facts flood my mind in an instant, I sit to ponder the reality of it, and then that feeling of astonishment slowly recedes like the water in a bathtub. Just like that I return to my normal self.
It's pretty neat and I bet you've had those thoughts before. For the newly wed, "I am married." For those moving home after a long time away "I'm finally home." For the graduate with a new job, "I'm entering the real world." For the girl with a new baby, "I'm mom." The scenarios are endless. When you think about them, these things might feel weird, but it's life.
And so, I find myself today considering one aspect of my life, "Leanne, you are a teacher." Today is teacher's day in Colombia and our school gave us the day off. That means I'm sitting here in my apartment with my cat (she's not a kitten anymore, boo - I mean she'll always be my little girl though) on my lap, piano music soft in the background, and I'm thinking about the celebration of what it is to be a teacher. There is weight and responsibility accompanied by a joy and excitement that I'm unable to express. It may not be the most glorified job, but it is definitely one in which you can impact a lot of lives. "Leanne, you are a teacher."
Teacher's were celebrated yesterday at school. It was unlike any teacher celebration I've seen before. Not that I've been in this profession for long, but I'm sure I would have heard something if it were taken to this level in the states. First let me tell you about the gifts. Not so much for high school teachers, but elementary school teachers are showered with gifts. Clothes. Jewelry. Perfume. Lotion. Candy. Lots of candy. I saw teachers walking out of school with bags and bags of gifts. Even though I teach in high school, I was not left out. I received 2 bottles of really nice perfume and a pillow. I felt spoiled.
Let's celebrate some more. During break time (a 25 minute break in the morning for snacks...yes, I know, it's awesome) the teachers were ushered into our tiny staff room to find a full blown mariachi band (if you do not know what this is, youtube it - for real that's what we had) playing for us and an entire table of snacks. The senior class organized it all for the teachers. How incredible. We stood there admiring the music, ate some goodies, and then moseyed back (10 minutes late I mind you and it didn't matter) to our classes. Awesomeness.
To follow was an assembly that students organized. They did several skits impersonating some of the teachers which were shockingly hilarious and presumably quite accurate. Afterwards, the main event: a transvestite singer/dancer/comedian. Is this real life? Ha! It still shocks me. It was funny, gave me the creeps, and I couldn't figure out how this was permitted. Yes, I'll spare you the details and we'll just leave it at that.
By the end of the school day I was exhausted but there was more celebrating to be done. The school rented a really nice farm, fed us, gave us drinks and we danced the night away. I'm not really a great dancer, but the Colombia staff is always more than happy to help me. We traded partners, danced merengue, cumbia and salsa, jumped around in a semi-mosh to a Spanish song with a chorus, "I don't want to work..." and really just enjoyed the company of the Liceo Ingles staff. It was a great end to an amusing day!
So this morning I return to the "I am" poem of my 5th grade self. Who am I? I am Leanne and I am a teacher. ...and a celebrated teacher at that!
Happy teacher's day to all you teachers out there!
