The Dreamer's Pen

I am completely and utterly moved by this class. I don’t even know where to begin, except to say that being in that space with the students, with the faculty, with everyone in the ESL department, has touched me in a way I wasn’t expecting. There is a generosity here, a kindness that is so genuine it almost feels sacred. The students… I can’t even put it into words. Their determination to learn English, the care they take with each word, each sentence, the way they lean into something that is so hard, so unfamiliar, is nothing short of inspiring.

Yesterday, they shared why they are learning English. Their stories, their motivations and their dreams and it brought tears to my eyes. Some of it reminded me so deeply of my mom, of the things she went through, the struggles, the courage, and the resilience. And in that moment, I realized that being here, being in this classroom, being part of this journey with these students is an honor. A real and profound honor. In a quiet, unexpected way, it feels like a way to honor my mom, too.

Today’s class was phenomenal. We worked on civics and U.S. history and we had breakout rooms. I was kind of in charge of one, and we talked about what it means to be a U.S. citizen. The advantages, the disadvantages, and what it really means to be part of this country. Hearing these students speak, thinking carefully, articulating slowly, choosing their words — was incredibly moving. Every answer was thoughtful, every observation honest, every perspective rich. Because the class is ESL, the pace is slower and that slowness is a gift. It gives space. Space to think, to reflect, to feel. And in that slowness, I found myself thinking more deeply, listening more carefully, understanding more fully. In my world outside of this classroom, everything is fast — deadlines, numbers, pressure. But here… here is something different. Here is patience. Here is presence. Here is beauty.

I am so honored to be co-teaching this class. Many of the students in the class I am shadowing will be in my classroom starting January and I cannot wait to meet them as their teacher. The other instructor will be running the virtual portion and I will be right there with the students, in the room, guiding, supporting, listening, and learning alongside them. The thought of it makes my heart so full. I am excited in a way that is almost hard to describe. I am excited, humbled, a little nervous, but entirely grateful.

I am proud of these students already. Proud of their courage, proud of their determination, proud of the way they show up for themselves and for each other. They are respectful, thoughtful, kind and they carry with them a desire to grow that is moving beyond words. Being part of that, even just for a few hours a week, feels like a privilege I don’t take lightly.

I don’t know exactly where this path will take me, and I don’t know yet if this is something I will continue long term. I still need my ESL teaching certificate before I can lead a class on my own and I’ve been thinking a lot about that. My graduate school offers a Master’s in Education with the certificate included, and I’ve been considering it, weighing whether another degree is the right next step. It would be so much work, but maybe it would also be worth it. Maybe it’s part of the path I’m meant to take.

Even with that uncertainty, even with the questions and the what ifs, I feel so alive thinking about this journey. Being in a classroom with students who are brave enough to learn, who are patient with themselves, who are eager to grow — it feels like a kind of grace. It feels like trust. It feels like being entrusted with something sacred.

I am so moved. I am so honored. I am so excited. And I am ready to start this journey in January, to step into that classroom fully present, fully committed, and fully in awe of the students I will meet. There is beauty here. There is meaning. There is learning on both sides. And I feel so lucky to be part of it.