For my third career, I was still going to college, again, when I began teaching. It was not easy to know or remember my schedule when some days I was in college and some days I was subbing in Elementary school. So Irene began calling my days in Elementary school – ‘Littleschool’, and my time in college – ‘Bigschool’.

I loved teaching. Something of myself to give to others. I felt that I had something to offer, something to give to the greater good.

These short pieces are from 2010-2015, and I read them moments after my new students settled on the first day of school. I also wrote and read to them on the last day of school. It was my introduction letter, and it was my farewell letter. They were something of me to give, something meant to last, beyond me.