I am thankful.

It's the end of the long Thanksgiving weekend, and this year I certainly have a lot for which to be thankful.

First, I am thankful to have a job. At this time last year, I had pretty much already had my fill of subbing, and had come to the realization that I would do anything to avoid another year of being an on-call teacher. Well, wish granted. Here I am in the Alaskan bush, being a real teacher, getting some serious experience in a challenging and unique environment, and putting my college degree to good use (not to mention growing my bank account...ahhh, the joys of steady employment!).

I am thankful for my parents. Mom and Dad, you taught me the value of hard work, and for that I am eternally grateful. You enabled me to become self-sufficent by giving me the gift of a college education. You supported me in my decision to come to Alaska, both emotionally and financially, and you continue to support me with your love and encouragement. A mere 'thank you' cannot begin to express my gratitude!

I am thankful for my family and friends near and far who have made my day with a call, a card, a care package. Knowing that I have your support, even from a distance, means so much. I am thankful for my new friends here in Stebbins, too! It's always a bonus when you actually like the people you work with, and I am blessed to work with some of the coolest people I know :)

I am thankful for Skype. Being able to see and hear my family is a miracle of modern technology, and it has helped keep my homesickness at bay.

I am thankful to have Roman here with me. His prescence forces me to be less self-involved, and though he is very capable of getting on my nerves, he makes me laugh every day. And when I have days where all I can do is laugh just to keep from crying, that's when I am most grateful for the unconditional love of my silly poodle boy.

Finally, I am thankful for my students. Of course, without them, I wouldn't have a job, but it goes beyond that. Each and every one of them, even the ones that drive me berserk (especially those ones), are teaching me to be a better teacher. Every day I ask myself, "What went well? What could I have done better?" and I answer those questions based on how my students responded to my teaching that day. Some days the answers come easily. Other days, not so much. Some days, I get so caught up in MY teaching practice and MY lesson plans and MY expectations, that I forget that it's not about ME, it's about my kids. They are a constant reminder of why I am doing what I'm doing. Kids keep it real, that's for sure. And I'm thankful for that.

XOXOjane