"Well, yeah," Dan says, sticking his hands into his jeans. "Now I know what to expect; you're teaching all of them how to be functioning, successful citizens of society."

 

"Like being respectful to others," Paraprofessional Lindsey Weber nods, smiling wide. She's been the new employee at plenty of gigs, and her trajectory from business management to Walgreens to home daycare speaks to an aspiration to become a teacher that doesn't necessarily follow the traditional career path. 

 

Cynthia nods in agreement. "The respect comes from the familiarity, I think." She enjoys teaching in her hometown. "It's awesome, actually," she says. It's strange to work with a few of the people you had as a teacher, though. "But it's cool to make an impact that I had growing up," she says, "I want to have the same impact."

 

"That impact is believing in themselves," Dan nods, "and that's part of the job every day, to convince them that they can be extraordinary."

 

"I can see where that works into your accounting and financial management," Lindsey says. 

 

Dan's delighted that the discussion has reached this point. "Either you're going to learn to manage your own money, or someone's going to manage it for you. It's about trust! Building relationships!" 

 

"Responsibility," Cynthia names off in agreement. Do you have any ideas on how the community could better partner with us? The room erupts into an uproar. Invite them in, strengthen relationships with businesses in town, and look for any opportunity to provide an enrichment opportunity for the children. These folks may be new, but they know how to do this. For one, they love this place and only want their students to return and start their own lives here.

 

"I always wanted to come back here," Cynthia says, "I've grown up here. I know everybody. I love this town." Her dad was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, and the community immediately convened in support. "That's what I really enjoyed," she says, "Because I wouldn't have seen that where I went to school… but I saw it here." The reminder of life's fragility has inspired Cynthia to continue emphasizing the importance of outgrowing her own nagging perfectionism to her students. "Everything is not going to be perfect. That's not the way the world works. Nothing is perfect," she says, "And be okay with that!" Her proactive approach to a strong work ethic probably took shape during her time working in her family’s business. All these lifelong skills have transferred to her new profession, and she says: "It's taught me [that] hard work pays off, and I enjoy working."

 

Two new teachers and a paraprofessional shift their feet in the room. Each of the rubber of their soles makes a distinctive squeak, its own pitch, tone, and resonance. "I've been down all different kinds of roads," Lindsey says finally, "And many different jobs. I've worked with kids off and on throughout the years, and I really prefer working with kids. It gives me a lot more to enjoy in my day. It makes my day go faster."

 

Two new teachers and a paraprofessional meet each other's eyes and shake each other's hands with appreciation. Despite their differences, one similarity remains universal and unchanging. The kids make their day and Two new teachers and a paraprofessional make theirs.