What Being a Teacher is All About

It's hard to believe it's the last day of the 2016-2017 school year!  It feels like I just unpacked my belongings, transforming a room into a family.  It's been a year filled with growth and reflection; a year filled with changes; a year filled with 21st century learning!  

This morning, I received this email:  

Walking into eighth grade; I had high expectations, joyful hopes and prayers, and no idea what was ahead of me! Eighth grade year was the hardest year of middle school, but also the most rewarding.

Starting the school year, I didn't have Ms. Pauley or room 27 to lean on. I had a teacher that was very sweet, but there was always challenges when I spent hours doing one IXL, but it was because I wasn't taught in a way that was effective for me. I take my school work a little too seriously, and always try to go beyond what is expected. I get anxious if I don't understand the material fully and completely. I started getting so worried that I talked to Ms. Taylor, my seventh grade math teacher, for help and tutorials. One day, I walked in and she simply told me not to worry about it, and she was really excited for what was coming.

The next day, I was doing my daily skyward check, and noticed Ms. Pauley's name as my Algebra teacher! That's when I first figured out she would be my upcoming teacher, and what Ms. Taylor was talking about. 

Our first day of class with Ms. Pauley, I was super prepared! I knew she was going to teach me on the level I was willing to take, and give me the challenges I was ready to face. I remember on the first day her explaining how we would start goal setting, and I remember thinking first test grade will be a breeze for me! I've been setting goals for myself for as long as I can remember, and consider myself a natural goal setter! We started our goal setting process by scheduling a time. I scheduled my time for the first spot I was available! November 3rd to be exact. I remember this day like it was yesterday. This day is probably the most memorable day of middle school for me.

November 3rd comes, and I was not having a good morning at all! I barely got any sleep because I was up all night throwing up from food poisoning, and felt like complete trash. The only reason I came to school that day was because I didn't feel like finding another day to fit in a goal setting conference with my packed schedule. 

I walked in, and there were already students in there ready to state their future plans and aspirations. Ms. Pauley started by asking me what my eighth grade goals were- I showed her my goal check list, and she was very pleased with what I showed her. She asked where I wanted to go to college, and what I wanted to be when I grow up. My answer was, and still is I don't know. I started listing some things that I might be interested in, one of them being a teacher.  As soon as I said that her eyes lit up, and told me that I was going to join morning duty with her, and start lessons on how to be a teacher. That changed my hectic morning into a phenomenal day!

As the days went by, I'd open up to Ms. Pauley more and more. She would calm me when I was overwhelmed with emotions, and give me advice that would change my way of thinking. Ms. Pauley would make me want to come to school, and became way more than a teacher to me; she became a role model, hero, therapist, friend, an unlimited supply of food and hugs, and a second mom! 

I've learned many many lessons from Ms. Pauley that I will keep in the back of my life for the rest of my life! One of them being always appreciate your momma! Ms. Pauley really helped me learn to be more grateful for my mom, and realize how much she truly does for me. She taught me if you're going to take notes, teacher pens are the go to! My note taking skills are 10/10 this year with all the paper folding and colorful pens. When people would be rude to me, she helped me learn how to stop wasting my time and energy on people not worth it, and how to work with those I did not see eye to eye with.  Ms. Pauley taught me how to find joy in each and every day! She showed me to better invest in people because not doing so could lead to heartbreak. Most importantly she taught me to always go for my goals, and know that I'm capable of far more than I think I am!  She helped me reach my full potential.  

Audrey met her goal of being the valedictorian of her 8th grade class! 

Ms. Pauley and I are members of the hot mess express (#HME) running on lattes and goals. We shared our thoughts, dreams, goals, ideas, moments, and everything in between. She was patient with my craziness, prayerful for my stress, and joyful for my accomplishments! Leaving middle school, the memories I have made with her will continue on to high school. And we will continue to make more.  She will witness my theatre productions, my sport games, and me walking across the stage in the year of 2021. She will continue to be one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters!  

As I walk to high school for the next chapter of my life, I will cherish and remember the moments I made with Ms. Pauley. She made a huge impact on me that is helping shape me into the woman I'm becoming. Forever thankful for such an unexpected blessing like her to show up in my last year at middle school!  

To the class of 2021, remember to pursue your goals, viewing obstacles and learning opportunities.  I am so excited for all that you accomplish!