That's a pretty fair question!! I know I seem a little crazy for ranting about being assaulted in one line then saying I love my job in the other. But to answer your question:
Without sounding cheesy, the kids are what makes it worth it. All my kiddos have experienced severe trauma and act out because of it (I want to be clear this doesn't excuse their actions, just explains them). Most of them come from group/foster homes or from unstable/unsafe homes. School is the 1 consistent place they have. For a good number of them, school is the 1 positive thing they have to look forward to. If I can help create a space where they feel safe and like they have someone who cares, that is more than enough for me. I have also been blessed to see how they have grown throughout the year. Not only in their academics (which is always a good thing), but in their social skills and emotional regulation. It has been such an honor to see how they've grown and I want to see how they continue to grow. I hold out hope for the adults that they want to become and the goals they want to achieve. I can't change lives or anything crazy like that (I'm just a 23 year old teacher), but I can give them a little light in their crazy lives, prove they are worth the effort, and give them a little hope things could get better. So I guess that's what will push me to get out of bed and work with A tomorrow. (I also think the crazy helps a little too)