LCpl Nicholas S. Perez Elementary School was by far the best place I could have spent my last year leading a classroom. When I recognized my teaching time was ending I knew how fortunate I was to finish it in a safe and supportive space with students I loved and a supportive team.
I returned to my elementary roots by taking the reigns of a 3rd grade ESL classroom. Primary, middle, and high school all provided an abundance of smiles and memories. With that said, there's a magic that has always drawn me to the elementary grades. Each day I witnessed personalities developing as rapidly as their curiosity about everything.
A defining factor of childhood is the desire to learn all of the things about all of the things. My students' questions about the world were asked in an innocently bold fashion that'd be considered rude if asked by an adult. Molding their abundance of energy made for genuine teaching moments, laughter, and opportunities to show that emotions should be embraced, not hidden in shame. I remember the sound of each laugh from every student. Same with their requests, asked verbally or through disruptive behaviors, to feel safe. I realized I care an unfathomable amount about teaching young people how to work with, not against their emotions. I was done with state tests and letting the bureaucracy and hypocrisy in our education system define my value as a person, let alone as an educator.
I was a part of several teams, a rag tag assortment of accomplished veterans, rookies, and those in-between like myself. The self confidence I reclaimed in my journey to Austin let me never doubt that I was seasoned pro at growing the happiness and safety inside any young person entrusted to me. By the point of my career that was Perez I was the complete opposite with paperwork and deadlines. Gone were the days of organizing teachers and passionate lesson planning. Class video projects and outdoor lessons were in the rear view. I was physically exhausted and mentally depleted. The well justified frustration from my team members never lessened their offers of support or its strength. I felt cared for by my administration and comfortable calling out colleagues who let their very real and legit frustration lead to bully-like tactics with peers. It is a trend I proudly continue.
I was burnt out to the point of taking another medical leave of absence. However this round I used my rest to the fullest. Sleep, alone time and that with friends, and the exploration of Austin like when I was planting my first roots were my daily medication. Finding the perfect counselor (the incredible James Ochoa) in my path toward discovering a life guided by purpose made my final months fun and free of fear. Months after my final locking of a classroom door a new fear filled the void. It threatened to end my life in a heartbeat. It left behind clarity, inspiration, and a reason to smile when thinking about my future.
