Gracias, Esteban...

It's not very often when I find someone else in life who is hiding two large, iced coffees in the fridge at work while they sip on one.  Yes, you are so busted, Esteban!  

Mentor, supervisor, amigo, you name it.  If we're lucky, a few times in our lives we will meet people who totally change us into something better.  Esteban was one of those people for me.

As middle school teachers we're known for being goofy.  Whatever crazy ideas I had, I could present them to Esteban and he would embrace them with open arms, or give his constructive feedback.

"I want to set up an Instagram account for the kids to follow me," was my latest idea.  Yeah, let's dive into the world of pre-teens and photos, MausiGal.

"Tell me more," was Esteban's response.  He embraces technology and anything that will hook the kids into learning.  And sure enough, my Instagram project is keeping kids interested in Spanish throughout the summer with pictures and snippets in the target language.  

"I think I'm going to end up being the Clemsville cat lady," I insisted to Esteban during one of my low mornings between eighth and sixth grade classes, complete with a "Meow!" and clawing of my hand like a cat's paw.  "I'll be conjugating present tense verbs by myself forever!"  

"Stop it!" he laughed, which always made me start my infamous snort laugh.  "You are intelligent, good-looking, the kids love you, and you have so much to offer.  Remember the wonderful you."  

This exchange was just a snippet, a few minutes stolen in his office as he rushed about with his laptop cradled in his arm (as it usually was) and I was running to make coffee (as I usually was).  But these words have stuck in my mind since, and I'm sure they will continue to do so.

Our last day of school with the kidlets was Friday.  It's a tradition at our school to wave goodbye to them as the busses depart, giving a final farewell to yet another school year.  This year was just an amazing one for me.  I was truly blessed to have such amazing kids in each and every class, and colleagues who can make me laugh like no other, and support me in all aspects of my life.

We are waving goodbye to Esteban as well.  He is leaving to go be by the sea, to head up a new charge of kidlets that will be so incredibly lucky to have him.  Who will be able to cheer me on when the days are rough, I have some crazy new idea for the classroom, or when someone once again steals my half and half and K-cups from the staff kitchen?

I'll be ok.  Professionally and personally I have grown so much from Esteban's guidance.  The end result?  I am a better teacher, mom, daughter, sister, friend because of him.  And above all, better to myself.

Gracias, Esteban, por todo.  Thank you for everything.  May every step of the way be without Dora dolls!

xoxo MausiGal