Though, at the end, I have a job where (and I know this is selfish, but I don't care) I know that I matter because I have this magical power in my position to make my students know that they matter.

The fact that I can let a student of mine know they are important just because they're a person is the best part of the job.

Sure, yes, more money would be good. A better commute would be nice.

More than that, though. Those are easy.

I am grateful for the email who was taking my 1102 class for a second time and who I fought to pass my class. - Email Subject - Please, Please Submit Your Work.

The biggest win is not being published or produced.

The biggest win is "Thank you for caring."

There is another student who is an engineer who is adding a writing minor, who I hope also knows just how incredibly impressed I am with him as a writer.There is the student who I heard telling their friends what a confidence boost it was for me to tell them what a talented writer they are.

I am reminded of my student who participated in my staged reading (and did an excellent job), who I taught in world literature class, and now, she's an English major. She was in my playwriting class, and I hope she knows just how talented she is.

The real blessing of it all, the piece that has no spot on the CV or resume, no place in the LinkedIn account. I'm speaking of the messages, and this semester also included a card. It means the most to know that I have had an impact on my students and in some way made their lives, their days better

The human things do. The helping friends get jobs, helping students succeed, meeting and being with those I've known and those I've just met.

These things matter.

There is a relief at the end of a semester, to just put a big check next to these four classes - done. Complete.

Thank you for reposting!

Thank you for reposting!