I have been watching a fair amount of coverage lately on the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library. A lot of discussion has been had about his legacy. Presidents each get up to speak to what a great man he is or what important accomplishments he achieved while in office. None of them mention the things he did that they may have disagreed with or the policies they themselves may have changed. Each of them do however, refer repeatedly to his legacy. Obviously, one's legacy can be both good and bad depending on the perspective. It made me stop to think: Are legacy's something fancy and important only reserved for presidential types? Does everyone have one? What is mine?
I currently find myself in the midst of a huge professional change. I am transferring from the elementary school that is one mile from my home, the place where my now adult children went to school from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school I taught at for 14 years, and the place where I have watched hundreds of students grow from non-reading 5 year olds to hormonal middle school bound preteens. I am leaving a place where I know everyone, have incredible friends, have a respectable reputation, know every inch of the space, every custodian, cafeteria worker, office staff, copy room quirk, administrator... you get the picture.... comfort and safe zone. If you have read this blog before, you have seen pictures of my classroom and understand the joy it brings to me every day. I took pictures of it the day I left, now empty and quiet. I had planned to post them here, but they are just too depressing. I liked it better bright and full of life. It has caused me to reflect on my years spent at my previous school. During those 14 years, I have had 6 different principals, seen many assistant principals come and go, and taught over 300 students. But I haven't really thought much about the administrative changes. I have thought mostly about the students. What I wonder most is: What do they remember about me? What is my legacy that will stay with them and make them smile when they hear my name? I have no way of knowing. What I do know, is what I hope they remember. I hope they remember that I love to read and tried my hardest everyday to get them to feel the same way, and that some days we didn't get to all the plans because we were at a part in our book that we just couldn't put down. I hope they remember that I taught things until they learned them and not in a hurry just to cover it before "the test". I hope that they remember that I love to laugh, which we did together a lot, and that even though there may have been a few frustrating moments along the way - I always respected them and held them to the highest standard. I hope they remember that our classroom was a safe and happy place, one where we could laugh it out, cry it out, or scream it out - but always come back the next day with a clean slate. Everyone deserves that chance. I hope they remember that learning in our classroom was hard but rewarding and most often fun. I hope they remember my favorite, "How's that workin' for ya?" and if it isn't working that they have the power to change it.
As I said, I will never know what they remember. I do know I was loved by most of them (and all were loved right back!) and they all learned a great deal in our time together. As did I. So, as I reflect on this legacy of mine, I am content and feel lucky beyond measure to have had the experiences I had with all of them along the way. I realize that I am about to start a new chapter and a new legacy that I will one day once again leave behind. How amazing it will be to start from scratch. What will I do differently? Who will I influence and how? The how is up to me. And I am ready for the challenge. As hard as it has been to say goodbye, I am ready and grateful for the opportunity.
As I get ready to start my summer "break" (I have lots of high school reading to do!), I am excited, terrified, eager, and overwhelmed. All in a good way. I can't wait to get started. I have a new legacy to work on.
Happy summer to my teacher friends! See you at the beach with a good book and a relaxing smile.
Mrs. Beck
