As another semester
begins to draw to a close I am reminded of all the people I miss. Family,
friends, and lately more so than ever my colleagues. Recently we have all lost
more and more of our colleagues and friends to budget cuts and other not so
drastic things; personal moves, etc. I, personally, lost 3 of closest friends
at my school and in theater some nearby neighbors to cuts, family, and job
moves. I’ve been thinking about them a lot lately.
One of my closest
work friends was our choir teacher, and though his move was for a positive
reason (new baby!) I still miss him terribly. Simply, he is not here and my
contact with him is limited to text, phone, facebook and the occasional quick
get together. I no longer have my dear artist friend to hang with at lunch when
we both need to blow off steam or write notes too during long boring PD
meetings. I no longer have my partner in musical theatre “crime”. We were
constantly laughing, inspiring, and planning together; he was so important to
me when in lesson planning I hit that artistic wall, we could always count on
each other for that fresh perspective and voice. And though life proceeds, as
it tends to do, and you do find new friends and new support, it saddens me to
leave so many behind.
As I was dwelling on this very
subject I realized something good and happy. More so than ever I am looking
forward to going to TETA in January! Though my choir & core discipline
teachers friends will not be present; so many people I enjoy seeing will be
there. Here is a conference made up of great lessons, workshops and
performances that as an added side benefit gives me the time to catch up with colleagues
from all over Texas and be inspired daily by their attitudes, lives, and
artistic personalities. I always leave TETA with dozens of new ideas for my
classroom and troupe; but more importantly I always leave with new friends, and
a renewed relationship with colleagues I respect and admire. It is a difficult thing to do what we do in
the wake of budget cuts and messed up testing systems; but as a whole we persevere.
And going to a conference that spends all weekend honoring what we do is really
rewarding; even if for only knowing we are not alone.
So, I ask this of
you dear readers, if you’ve lost a friend or colleague to the state of our
schools this year, remember them now. Remember what you meant to each other and
how your job was better because of them, simply remember their smile, their
laugh and the inspiration you felt being close to them. Now, call them, write
them, facebook them and tell them you miss them. Nothing can mean more in this
day and age then to know someone thinks of you and why. Always remember the
people who inspire, comfort, and protect you and please do your best to hold on
to them. There is always time to say “Hi”, “I miss you”, “Hope your day is
bright!”; find that time and use it well!