I would love to be positive about my job! What I mean is that whenever we get together, (in the lounge or in the grocery, or with a stranger on a bus)-we teachers always speak negatively about teaching. I am the world's worse about doing this. But, I notice that other people in other jobs may chat eagerly at parties or on the sidewalk. They are doing this or promoting that, and they are all up about it. Why are we so depressed? Why do we only feel needed and understood when we are griping together? I think about this a lot. It is as if we are all addicted to the frenzy, the wretched wreck of it all. "Who said this? Who is quitting? What are they making us do now?" If you say anything good-everyone looks at you like you've got to be kidding.I have a friend who used to be a teacher. Now, she is a message therapist. She always has exciting good news about her business. Her fellow message therapists show each other how to do a new technique and love showing off their ideas. There are smiles all around and nobody thinks that means they are not serious about their work. It means they like where they are and who they are and what they do. They are positive. Is it possible to be that way about teaching? I used to think that way. I want that back. I want to be proud of what I do and to know other teachers who are upbeat as well. Not sugar-coated naive positive, but realistic, experienced, working positive. That will be my goal this new school year. Who's with me?
