As I prepare to complete (probably) the last step in my education, I keep thinking I should also look to find a new job. My job is very stressful and physically and emotionally demanding (like most jobs in ed). This past week has made me really emotional. My students and younger staff I have worked with have validated the work I am doing—a job that I often feel like is thankless (esp, by my office).

My job is interesting and varies. Some students will get into their dream school w/ or w/out me; they just don’t think they can do it by themselves. Others need the support to tell their stories to contextualize their less-than-impressive grades (one of my students got denied from every college EXCEPT from Berkeley (we have a crazy admissions process that I actually think is the best process in the UC system). This student did not want to talk about immigrating to the U.S. and living by himself for a year an a half while going to school (getting mainly D’s) and working 60 hour-weeks because he didn’t want to be pitied. Others just get scared seeing a bunch of bureaucratic forms and don’t want to attempt to do it by themselves. Some have messed up so much academically they gave up on college their junior year and then came for help senior year (one student actually cried when she got her acceptance letter to CSU eastbay). And then, of course, there’s all those personal stories… the ones that happened and the ones that are on going. Sometimes its just listening. Sometimes it referrals to clinics/ hospitals. Sometimes it’s just a coffee and a pastry. The worst is when you remember you are a mandated reporter. Then thinking of the cultural implications and ramifications of mandated reporting and how “abuse” looks different to different people. Then having to trust your own judgment…

I’m responsible for about 80 seniors (in total about 300 9-12 graders. My interns do most of the work with the younger students). Admittedly I don’t know many of my seniors (some have actually never come to see me). I’ve probably worked directly with about 60 students and have built close relationships with about 2/3s. I can’t even express how deeply these students have touched me.

All of my seniors are going to college next year-- about 90% are going to a 4-year. A good handful of the ones I am very close to are going to Berkeley, Davis, SFSU, and Sonoma so will be nearby. What is hard is many of their friends aren’t graduating. About 25% of seniors in West Contra Costa Unified have not passed the high school exit exam. At one school I work at, more than 40% of seniors have not passed the exit exam. This makes my role at the school seem luxurious and makes the school admin not so nice to me…

As the school year starts to wrap up I’m already thinking about how much I’ll miss my seniors. This year’s class has a special place in my heart because many I have known since they were in middle school. Also, some of the ones I just met within the last 1-2 years have been amazing, especially in perseverance. This year, I’ve also had the privilege of meeting and working with some students who are not in my program, but friends of friends. These young women in particular have left a strong impression on me. In a few years they will be even more kickass.