Some kids know exactly what they want to be when they grow up; I was not one of them. I had aspirations of athletic stardom like hitting the winning home run in Game 7 of the World Series or scoring the winning goal of the World Cup. In theory, neither was totally impossible, but if I am being honest, I didn’t have the talent or dedication to achieve either.
My wife on the other hand, had more realistic dreams. Ever since I met her 19 years ago as an awkward tween in middle school, she had aspirations of being a teacher. She weathered grad school and student teaching, while I sat on the couch playing Xbox. She endured a layoff after only two short years of employment, and the subsequent uncertainty of being a substitute, while I had professional stability. But she never lost hope.
I don’t believe in fate, or things “happening for a reason.” But I can buy into “being in the right place, at the right time,” (mainly because it works so well in sports) whatever you might call that. Whichever you choose to believe, it happened to Mrs. FWL. She is now a teacher at the same high school, in the same program, teaching some of the same material, that transformed us both over ten years ago. She miraculously juggles the never-ending workload outside the classroom, the increasing needs of a toddler, and the constant desire to be the best mama and wife to Isabel and me. She’s tired, stressed, overwhelmed, underpaid – but loves it. And I know she loves it. And that makes me happy and proud.
It also makes me proud to see my kid have what seems to be an early thirst for education. Perhaps I’m wearing papa goggles, and she simply enjoys us reading to her (after she’s assumed the position in our lap, of course), but when you see your toddler, sitting alone in her chair reading, without any prompting, it means something, right?!
I’d like to think that the plethora of books spilling out from her various bookshelves and strewn across the floor will have an impact on her as she gets older. And if they don’t, I have nothing to worry about, because if she gets sick of “mom the teacher,” she really doesn’t have anywhere else to run as both her grandmothers are/were teachers too. Grandmothers that spent countless hours reviewing vocabulary flashcards in the car before tests and explaining the annoying rules of algebra. Grandmothers that devoted their lives to improving the lives of thousands of other kids, while enriching the lives of their own at home.
But what Isabel doesn’t yet realize, is that the teachers are fueled by more than just a love for the job:
Discounts – Teachers make sacrifices, one of them being their paycheck. But thankfully, some businesses recognize this. And the savvy teachers (like Mrs. FWL) have figured out where the best deals are. So a word to the wise – take a teacher with you the next time you need to do some shopping.
Chocolate – See’s. Godiva. Powerberries. All of it! Christmas and the end-of-the-year are the holy grail of being a teacher thanks to the influx of delicious treats. And rightfully so! They deserve to be rewarded for 9 months of lecturing, grading, and counseling. (Husbands also benefit from this…and it’s almost June!)
Vacations – The amount of time teachers get for vacation is awesome, and make anyone working in the corporate world (ahem) jealous. They work hard and deserve to play hard (even if they spend large portions of those breaks working). But luckily for Isabel, she too will benefit from the quality time she will be able to share with Mrs. FWL.
Coffee – Teachers get up early, stay up late, and don’t sit down all day long. From the first bell to the last they need to be “on”. The only breaks they get are often sacrificed for answering student questions, meeting with colleagues, or making last-minute copies. So they need something to keep them going all day, and that something is often caffeinated black gold, with some sugar.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf recognize this appreciation of coffee, and in honor of National Teacher Appreciation day tomorrow, May 5, they invite teachers and faculty members to present their school ID to receive any regular (16 oz.) beverage for only $2. Available all day at participating Arizona, California, New York, Connecticut and Austin area store locations, teachers can order their favorite signature drink, or opt for the new seasonal Thai Tea and Vanilla Rooibos beverages.
The promotion will take place at all participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® locations*. CLICK HERE to locate the store closest to your area, and tell all the teachers in your life to refill their eternally-depleted tanks!
*Valid only at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® retail locations. Offer valid on May 5, 2015. Offer for one (1) Regular size beverage for two dollars ($2.00). Limit one (1) per customer per visit. Valid teacher identification must be presented at time of purchase. Valid on bar beverages only. No cash value. Not redeemable with other offers. Not valid on previous purchases. No substitutions. No rain checks. While supplies last. ©2015 International Coffee & Tea, LLC. All rights reserved.
Thank you to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® for sponsoring this conversation, and helping me honor the three most important women in my life.
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