23 days.

23 days left in the school year. It's hard to believe I'll be unemployed in that many days (plus a few weekends, I suppose).
I get frustrated. Really, really frustrated. Because I know I'm a good teacher. And I'm not frustrated because I'm losing my job. I'm frustrated because the students who attend the Irving Middle School are losing a good teacher.
And they deserve a good teacher. Maybe "Gregory Allan" will be a good theatre arts teacher. In fact, I hope he is. I'd hate to see the first-ever theatre arts program at the Irving fail in someone else's hands.
But, I know I've given my students something no one else can give them.
I see it in their faces, when they get excited about a scene we're working on.
I see it in myself, when I can't find words enough to congratulate a group on a great performance.
I see it in my husband and dogs, who think I'm giving too much time to my kids.
I see it in what the school has become since I've been there. Not because of me, but because of teachers like me.
Teachers like me who, are also being laid off. Sharon, Social Studies. Susan, Student Support Services. Terri, 7th grade ELA. Brendan, Creative Writing.
23 days to go. Where does my motivation come from?
Every day. Every day I find it. Middle Schoolers becoming actors.
Sometimes I have very little faith, then...we play a game, do a warm up, they perform an original scene. And my kids help me find that motivation.
23 days left, to be the luckiest teacher in the world.
And then.
It's gone.