I just had a heartbreaking week of cards and gifts from students devastated to be losing me. It feels narcissistic to even say that, but my heavy bag is full of proof even my lacking self-esteem can't argue with.
All week I kept telling my students to hold out hope — my replacement could be great or even better — but they know that's highly unlikely and so do I. I know what the job demands and what it pays.
Their school abused me, overworked me, and underpayed me. I'm leaving for a slightly less toxic teaching job, but even that's only for a year or two and then I will have to return to computer science, which makes me miserable but actually pays well.
A student of mine just stopped by before getting off the train to reiterate how much I'll be missed.
I hate this so much. I deserve better but so do they.