We don't really have multiple weather seasons, and that's okay. We pretty much only have "let's melt" and "hoodie" weather. In the few weeks between melting and bringing out hoodies out of mothballs, there's a threat of rain in the afternoons.
Usually if the rain comes in June, July, or even early August, it's completely welcome and finds happy recipients. Once school starts, the threat of an afternoon shower is as unwelcome as a family of slumber party lice. The car rider line nearly doubles in length and the children who are usually walker/bikers are completely out of their normal dismissal element because the shift in the winds made them get picked up in the car rider line.
But, that's a great picture of what teaching is: there are the sunny days, and there are the days where you feel like you need to clone yourself to handle the double workload.
And, I love it. Every. Single. Minute.
Take today, for example: the temperature in my classroom was sunny and positive. I made some fantastic connections with a few new students to our campus who I hadn't yet met, I helped a few co-workers navigate some different challenges, and I ate a few pieces of chocolate. The days when it's sunny and clear far outweigh the afternoon showers, but it seems like the afternoon showers are what always stick with me.
The afternoon shower days are the reason I've created an "Awesome" folder in my inbox. When I first created it, I thought I'd never have anything to put in there; but, I soon realized that my Awesome folder started to fill up. And, when I feel like I'm the rainmaker in my school, I can go back to that Awesome folder and clear away those storm clouds. Here are the first 3 examples of what's in my Awesome folder right this very minute:
"You're a rock star! Thank you so much! 😄"
"(My wife) and I didn’t have a chance to speak with you yesterday since you were so busy. I think it’s safe to say you have blown our socks off with your enthusiasm for the kids and the quality of their performances! Yesterday they sounded amazing. (Our daughter) is very lucky to have you as a director this year. Thanks (...) for everything you are doing. (Our school) is extremely lucky to have you!"
"Thanks for the beautiful concert you prepared for us. (My daughter) never really liked to sing before and now she even sings in the shower which makes us happy. She had a wonderful year and I'm pretty sure she won't forget you. Be proud of what you accomplished!"
There are some days when the weather in my work world can shift from sunshine to storm clouds in a swift moment, but my Awesome folder helps me to keep my chin above the water and wait for the sky to clear. I don't always remember it on my storm-filled days, but it's always there to help pick me up, and that's almost as good as having a kagool on hand.
I hope you get a chance to make some seasons of Awesome appear in 2015-2016.