Life hasn't been so easy lately. I'm moving on AGAIN (let's not even get into that mess) and I'm continuing this seemingly endless job search. It is discouraging, frustrating, and anxiety-producing. I don't have enough work and don't know when I will. I am scared about a lot of unknowns in the future - where I will work? How I will support myself? Will I even be able to continue working in my field, for which I got 2 MAs for about 3 years? Who knows. Some days I struggle, but I am still trying to focus on the positives, however small they may be.
Something happened yesterday that reminded me of why I love my profession. One of my "favorite" students (I know I'm not supposed to have favorites but I do) attended class for the last time, before he went back to El Salvador where he is a pharmacist. He gave me a big hug and thanked me repeatedly in Spanish and English for all I had done for him. It made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Little does he know that he did a lot for me too - he was such a great student with positive energy and limitless enthusiasm for learning English. He was one of the reasons I got up for work every day, even when I felt like shit and didn't think I could "turn it on" for my students. It is amazing how a single student can add so much to (or take so much away from) a class.
Long story short, later that day he emailed me in Spanish. I will translate --> I want to thank you for the patience you have for teaching this language. You have a great personality and when I return here to LA I am going to find you to continue in your class because you're a good teacher with wonderful intentions and feelings. You are a beautiful woman inside and out. God bless you.
Every time I feel discouraged about my job and my general career situation - lack of benefits, instability, too few hours, bullshit bureaucracy, etc. - I will try to remember Jeffry, his kind words, and his goodbye email. That is why I do what I do. The emotional rewards and sense of satisfaction far outweigh the monetary reward.
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