Derailed On the Edge of Italia

Break time! Five short weeks after going back to school, we get a break. I am definitely not complaining.

I'll be headed down to Sicily and wherever else the wind takes me/us. Nothing booked beyond the first night, which means the expectations are unknown.

Today there was a small epiphany moment at school. What I love about teaching is that you get to interact with so many people everyday. Speaking to students from all over the world is by far one of my favorites things about being at the school I am. Kids who are twelve have incredible life stories and such unique perspectives on life. A far cry from only knowing the country of Carp.
Anyways, the epiphany moment came when I was speaking to some students in grade nine I don't teach. They were asking me about Canada and French, and then one of the girls looks at me and says, 'So, why are you a French teacher?' Then I paused for a second, and asked her what she meant. She continued, 'You know, was it always your dream job to be teaching French?'

There are a few reasons why this is still sticking out in my brain. First, it was probably the last thing I expected to be asked. Second, I obviously didn't have any semblance of a satisfying answer. I mean, of course I didn't dream of it, but I said that I shifted the conversation to teaching English. I do love English and teaching English because I love people and communication. That's part of the truth. English is just so objective. Reading a book or a poem or seeing an image is never the same for two people. Taking something from inside you and putting it out into the world in an attempt to connect, or share, or preserve. . . is life, as far as I'm concerned. Is it my dream job? Well, no.

Anyways, this is just rambling. I'm probably catching the sickness that's been passing through our school. Basically, what I do love about teaching is that there is an x factor. You can't predict a day at school, and young people should never be underestimated. They always have the ability completely stop you in your tracks, and derail you for a moment.