Today is my first day back at work from spring break. I got here early, unlocked my room, sharpened pencils, attended a department meeting, enjoyed standing at my door and welcoming in my students. Then it hit me: I am really going to miss this. I have been a high school teacher for seven years. I agonize over how to best teach my students to write essays and how to help them solve the quadratic formula. Every day I encourage someone, calm down someone, and crack lots of jokes to help my teenagers deal with the pressures of high school. I love seeing their successes, I love helping them navigate through disappointments. I am a teacher, in my heart and in my soul. I will miss every one of my students next year.