I've been so much happier and healthier since I stopped teaching but. God. I miss those small people.

I don't miss the curriculum but I miss explaining the orbit of the planets using random objects off my desk because we watched a space video at snack time and now they want to know.

I miss baking cakes and cookies and learning to measure with scales and the magic that happens in the oven.

I miss being brought the same book over and over because I once said I liked it.

I miss cutting open Halloween pumpkins and talking about how to use knives safely and the look of utter surprise and awe on their faces when they found out THEY would do the cutting because they were trusted to listen and be safe.

I miss every part that wasn't written down in official documentation about what my job as a teacher was. Because all those things are the real job.