embarrassed

9-23-09

Something completely and totally embarrassing happened to me today. We had a faculty meeting after school. I went to the meeting, took care of business, and proceeded back to my room. After running a few errands and making a new "to do" list, I was about to head out the door when my Principal called me over the intercom. He wanted me to come to the front office. I had asked him a question earlier regarding field trips so I thought he wanted to discuss it with me. I made my way to the front office only to find that not only was the Principal there but also the Assistant Principal. I quickly ran through a list of things I had done recently. Had any of them been offensive? Had I inadvertently made a child or a parent upset from something I had done? Who had I even taught that day? Wild horses were running through the scenarios in my head. They both had stern looks on their faces so I was prepared for the worst. Then the Principal said, "We just wanted to congratulate you on being named the Teacher of the Year."

I felt like someone had literally jerked the rug from under me. There were going on and on about how I deserved this honor and how much I did for the school but I couldn't hear them. All I could think was that they were talking to the wrong person. What was I doing in here? Maybe they meant to call Mrs. Barnes, our names sound alike and we both have curly hair. I have never been so speechless in my life. There are times when I am quiet and reflective but I really have lots of things to say behind the tongue that I am biting. This was not the case today. I stood there feeling as if someone had told me I won the lottery. I was confused and questioning. Then as the words continued to flow from my Principal's mouth it slowly began to dawn on me that he wasn't kidding. I had been named Teacher of the Year? What? There are so many other teachers that are more deserving than little old me. I didn't vote for me. Who in the world voted for me? Did they know who they were voting for?

Then as the light started to shine on the facts in my brain and it finally put all the pieces together, I felt the biggest wave of embarrassment washing over me in a tsunami-like way. I wanted to grab hold of my father's jacket and hide behind it until all of the excitement died down. I believe that I even used the words, "shucks..." Who says that? Someone who is completely embarrassed with an honor of this magnitude being bestowed upon them. I can't believe that the faculty voted for me. I am truly humbled and blessed to have a job that I really enjoy and to get an honor for doing that is even more special. Thanks to all the teachers at my school for all the hard work they put in every day. This award is for all of us.

Have a blessed evening and thanks for reading my 28th blog.