I knew that Mark wanted to become a teacher while we were dating, but I really didn't give it any thought. I had stars in my eyes for him and was busy dreaming of our wedding day. While in college, our lives were not that different. Toward the end of college Mark was stressed about finding a job and I was busy planning our (well, my) dream wedding.
After a few mad dashes between school and a hopeful job position, which included Mark changing his clothing while speeding down the highway, I was with him when he got the offer we had been praying for. Again, other than celebrating, I didn't give it a lot of thought.
It wasn't until after our big, beautiful wedding and the school year began that I realized I married a teacher. My eyes were opened. I had no idea what it took to actually be a teacher. Especially the teacher that Mark wants to be.
He does not have yellow notes that he has been using year after year, he is constantly tweaking and changing things that didn't go as well as he had thought they would. He always has a bag full of papers that he wants to get graded slung over his shoulder when he gets home. He coaches two sports because he likes tennis and enjoys getting to know students on a different level. He helps with a quiz show team because he knows not everyone plays sports and you need to encourage niches for those students too. He drives a morning bus route and keeps the buses full of fuel. And many small things that he will mention at dinner when I ask about his day.
My husband is a teacher, and I couldn't be prouder.
It has been a great school year. I know school is still in session for a few more weeks, but today is the day Mark and most of his students have been working toward all year. Mark has had a new course to teach this year. AP English. Today is the test to see if the students are able to get college credit for all their work this year.
Today is the day that Mark gets graded.
And he is a tad anxious.
The results won't be in until July, but he is praying that some of what he has taught them has stuck, that he has gone over the right things...and not let his students down.
So today, please pray not only for the students taking the test, but send up a few for the teacher. And all of the other teachers who work a whole lot harder than I ever imagined back in high school. We are truly blessed with Mark's position and his wonderful colleagues.
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We stopped at Mark's classroom last week after a softball game and while Mark made copies, Eddie explored his classroom...
3 comments:
I hope things went well for Mark today. May is a stressful month for many teachers, especially those who care a lot for their students...I can tell that Mark is one of those kind. It was nice of you to recognize how hard teachers work, because you're right, a lot of people don't realize how hard we work. The summers are a REALLY nice perk though! I'm sure you're looking forward to having him home a bit more!
aww... what a sweet post to honor Mark! We are sure he is an awesome teacher too! Loved the pictures of Eddie in his classroom... so sweet. :) Miss you guys!
Jen, I haven't checked in here in about a week, but I had to comment on this. So weird for me to see Mark in his classroom! I had one of his former students as a worker for our Moppets program at church this year. We'll be up in July for 3 weeks so Lilli can take tennis and swimming again and can't wait to see you guys! It's been waaaay too long!
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