Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood, so I Called My Friend for Help

Hi, all!

I am back writing today after a much needed cathartic visit with my very best friend. As soon as I hopped in my car to go home, I knew I had a post that needed to be tapped out.

Baby Teacher Advice: Find someone you trust. Have someone in your life who you can be completely honest with and talk to about anything.


There is something to be said for a true friend--someone you can wholeheartedly trust. They give a place of refuge where you can be honest with fears, triumphs, questions, or thoughts. Having a person like this in life is invaluable. 

I am a Baby Teacher. While I may have a pretty good grasp on many aspects of life for being such a young pup, I find myself confused and unsure daily due to my inexperience at living. Lately, more than ever, I feel as though I am at Mr. Frost's two diverging roads. I keep staring down each road as far as I can see, but I still am questioning which path I should/want to choose. This dilemma has weighed heavily on me until tonight. I met with my friend/hero/shrink/(insert any other positive word) today after work and just talked. She asked questions that I had not thought about. She never judged. She never laughed. She just listened to me. Everything I truly felt or thought was said. I never hold back with her because she has earned my trust, which is not an easy task. While she didn't tell me what choice to make, I left there with the clearest perspective I've had in a while. 

I know trust is hard to give. It requires a sense of vulnerability that most do not like to feel. However, you have to trust yourself enough to know who to trust. We all need outlets. Find someone, anyone, who you can go to. I don't believe life was meant to live alone. It was meant to be shared with by those who we care enough about to share it with. Lean on others. Find your true friends to help you in times of need. Be strong enough to trust someone with the thoughts you hold closest to your heart. 

Sometimes you get lucky like I did. Sometimes, just sometimes, you find the greatest person in the world who changes everything just by being there. That, folks, is a true friend.

Go do good things,

BT


"Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly."  ~George MacDonald 

Baby Teacher Say Thanks...

Hello,

I would not be Baby Teacher had I not been influenced by many teachers who possess the gift of teaching and inspiring students. I just received news that one of the greatest teachers I have ever met would be retiring after this school year. While I was happy for her, as she deserves to enjoy some time to herself after 40+ years devoting all of her time to students, I could not help feel a heap of sadness. She was the kind of teacher whom I aspired to be like. She is a master at each tiny aspect of teaching. I feel a sense of pity that other students will no longer have the joy of having such an incredible educator.

There have been many teachers in my lifetime who have left an imprint on me. I see it each day that I teach. I find myself doing things that my influential educators did while I was in their class. I would like to give a shout out to...

Mrs. Hunt (Hands down greatest teacher I was blessed to have. She is my hero and greatest person I know. She inspired me to teach.)
Mr. Fruth (He was taught me more about English than anyone I ever had.)
Madame Koselke (She is a rock star in the teaching field. Absolutely irreplaceable.)
Kristin Poage (My college education professor who inspired me every day. She epitomizes everything a teacher should be.)
Teresa White (My college journalism education professor who taught me more than I think I even realize. I miss her dearly. I was prepared to take over the yearbook because of her.)
Madame Roule (The sweetest lady alive!)
Mrs. Meyer (My loving, encouraging 2nd grade teacher. She has a big spot in my heart.)
Mrs. Brugos (I have loved her since I was six. I will probably continue doing so until I am 95.)
Mrs. Sass (The first person who really made me love English.)
Mrs. Farrell (My AMAZING 8th grade teacher who shared a love of Donny and Marie with me!)
Mr. Lindeman (I was never a big science fan, but he made genetics fun and interesting.)
Mr. Zeisig (Every day was an adventure in 7th grade social studies.)
Mrs. DeWolf (I learned more her 8th grade social studies class than all others combined.)
Mrs. Chezem (She was my elementary school gym teacher, and I used to follow her around like a puppy because I thought she was so wonderful.)
Mr. and Mrs. Sherrick (They both had me engaged in their classes from the first bell to the last.)

Teachers are special individuals who do more than you'll ever know. Take the time to say thanks to one or all of them. I wouldn't be the person I am today without them!

Go do good things,

BT