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Burned Out?

I've not taught long enough to be burned out. Honestly, I hope it never comes to that point. I love what I do, I am adamant on the fact that the children need to see someone who they can relate to-someone who looks like them. While we all want to sing Kumbaya and people want us to "all be the same", that really does a disservice to the children who are all unique and different.

I'd be blind not to see that leaving a system so many teachers are growing to despise may have a lot to do with me not tuckering out yet. I taught for two years at home before coming here so Im 7 years in and working on year 8 now. I have days where I feel guilty for not being at home. But the truth is that I need to take care of myself so that I can take care of those little ones that I hold dear to my heart.

Don't get me wrong. I hold these little ones dear to my heart as well. I keep their pictures. We laugh and play together. It's something so sweet when there are students I can have funny jokes with when we are speaking two different languages. It's gratifying when a parent has someone translate to me that their child wants to come back to my class after they've passed on the elementary school.

At this point in my career, I'm not itching to get home but it is definitely on the list. It has helped that my school has continued to improve thanks in LARGE PART to a wonderful HOF. She will be leaving this year so I don't know how I will feel next year,lol. No one is going to run me out of here until I am ready that is for sure.

I just need to continue getting these ducks in order. It is a slow process to dig yourself out from under student loans-thank God Sallie is gone! Now, I feel like it is time to get in more travels and start this repatriation fund because rent and taxes are looming. If you are thinking of coming-or going back for that matter-please remember that being here means you are making almost double what you are at home when you adjust for taxes, utilities, and rent. Now, if you choose to spend big bucks on all the bells and whistles you see here, don't confuse that with making the same amount of money you make in the States because you aren't. The longer you stay here, the more you have to prepare yourself for that reduction in income because it will drastically reduce the ease at which you can repatriate happily. I know of several people personally who are coming back, have come back, or who want to come back. It's real in these streets! lol.

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