A little perspective

So today I found out a student of mine might be anorexic.   This of course broke my heart, but what made me really sad is that I didn't notice it first.  I mean, I noticed she was lethargic and stopped turning in work, but instead of talking to her and digging deeper, I just got frustrated by her grades and lack of effort and harassed her to come after school and make up her work.  I also talked to a mom of another student of mine and found out she was recently adopted from a really bad family and was having a hard time adjusting.  Its the second to last week of school and I am just now bothering to find out this information?

I thought I got into teaching to help middle school students find their way, build their confidence and realize God's love.... instead, working where I do has turned me into a assessment driven greedy data monster.  I hate it. I hate that I get upset over kids who have gum when they could have abusive parents. I hate that I yell at kids for not focusing when they might have been up all night taking care of a little sister.  I hate that I am excited for school to end instead of sad to see them go.  This year has resulted in complete and utter burn out and I don't like that feeling.  Next year I need to find a way to renew my perspective. I wish I had a little refresh button on my outlook like I do on my webpage.  I am thankful for the summer break ( even if I teachsummer school it will be a break from the same place, same kids, same issues) and hope that I can start next year with  a better viewpoint.  God wants me to be a teacher, I am sure of that. But I am equally sure that his sole purpose for me being a teacher is not to get the best data of my school.   I need to remember that- feel free to remind me at any point when it is obvious I need reminding.