A Teacher’s Gratitude

I am a teacher.

I give thanks for dry erase markers that work and pre-sharpened pencils,

for chocolate and caffeine.

I meet canceled meetings, bathroom breaks and snow days with gratitude

and I am thankful

for forgotten fidget spinners and silly bands that’ve come and gone,

thankful

for completed paperwork, planned fire drills, and a full night’s sleep.

And as a holiday break arrives,

just in time,

I give thanks

I am a teacher.

I give thanks for challenge and unspoken trust,

for a-ha moments and tears.

I meet the chance to grow, the chance to learn and the chance to love

with gratitude.

And I am thankful

for calm and compromise,

thankful for

the knowledge that I am making a difference,

one human at a time.