Going Anyway

They Will Succeed

Saturday, May 6

This morning Ava and I were working concessions when one of my students from my first year of teaching came over to me.

"Hey, Timothy."

"Hey, Mr. Easton! How are you?"

"I'm all right. What's new with you?"

"I'm going to go to college! I was accepted to UA."

"Dude, that's awesome. What are you majoring in?"

"Teaching."

I raised my eyebrows, resting my hands on the counter. "Really? What made you wanna go into teaching?"

"You. You inspired me to go to college in the first place. I want to do the same for my students."

I couldn't even look at him. This is why I don't want to move. It's not easy knowing I may never see any of my students again. Even writing about this is difficult.

"Well, I appreciate you saying that. What subject do you want to teach?"

"Science. I think it's the hardest class, and I want to use that to not only challenge students, but show them they can and they will succeed. I want them to know college is an option and graduating can happen."

"It's people like you who will change the world." I forced myself to look at him. He has grown up into a strong young man. The way he carries himself now is so much different compared to when I first had him as a student. "Don't forget that."

"I think you've already changed this town."

Okay, I want to clear something up: I don't want anyone reading this to think I am publishing this to get attention. (I am not using my real name safety reasons, anyway.) I like to vlog because it gives me something to do, and I like giving advice with humor. I was going to blog to make people laugh, but this blog hasn't been that funny. It's just easier to write about what's really going on in my life, and I genuinely do try to encourage people.

"Thank you." I'm trying to get better at accepting compliments.

"Thank you for coming into my life."

I pressed my lips together. "It was an honor." I meant that.

"I know you're moving though." Running a hand through his hair, he swallowed. "And you deserve it, but this town is never going to be the same. Just...thank you for everything." He ran a hand down his face, trying to wipe the moisture from his eyes.

"Hey, don't get all weepy on me; I'm the one leaving." I'm not one of those people who gets emotional when I see other people cry, but I'm moving away from the one of the only things in my life that had been consistently fulfilling. I'm not depressed about it, but it stings a little.

He laughed a little. "This class has the highest graduation rate this school has ever. That's a big deal, and you know it."

"It's awesome."

He gave me a weak smile. "But why are you really leaving?"

I looked over at Ava who was sitting in the chair, playing on her iPod. "For her, and my aunt is the principal at the middle school in one of the best school districts in Iowa."

He sighed. "Iowa? Wow. That's really far." He ran a hand down his face again. "Okay, promise me this: treat them as good as you treated us. Encourage the kids who need to be encouraged. Don't let this new school change you; change the school."

"You have my word."

We shook on it.