What Hurts the Most
My husband recently started providing test-prep tutoring to a former student of mine. At their first session, the student mentioned that she had signed up for AP Bio but dropped the class once she learned I wouldn't be teaching it. I sent the exchange to my mom. She replied, "I'm sure it's nice to hear that validation of your teaching, but you shouldn't feel guilty for choosing to take care of yourself." Moms know everything, don't they? You see, I did feel guilty. It reminded me of the e-mails from students saying that they missed me. I contemplated the letters I received at the end of last school year, one of which said I was the only teacher who didn't make the student feel stupid for asking questions or needing more time to work out the right answer. I felt like I was letting those students down, and it hurt. Then I reflected on my reasons for stepping back. You know what else hurt? It hurt that when I vocalized my struggles, an unknown individual