Yes.

And no.

Yes, because I love it, love working with the students, seeing them get better and better. Yes, because every little thing I can do to help is that much more, and we’re facing a teacher shortage and educational crisis of alarming catastrophic proportions. Many are leaving the profession.

Many teachers refuse to be forced or coerced into presenting compromised curriculum. Many in training see the writing on the wall, change their major, and look for something else.

So yes, whatever I can do to help stem the tide of dissolution.

But no, because one classroom at a time won’t stem the tide. I would only be a drop in the ocean.

No, because at my age, I might not (probably won’t) have the stamina to get through a full day every day, week in, month out.

No, because (probably) I couldn’t choose my assignment, and may (as experience tells me) fall under the heel of a pedantic autocrat.

No, because, with (my) time running out, I need to find a way to have the greatest impact.

No, because I’m lazy.

So…a qualified yes, selectively. Yes, because Principals are begging me to come back.

But a qualified no, because the problems are so big and I don’t know what to do about it. Because I can’t accept the Pollyanna rationale that “If I can just reach one student, my life will have been worthwhile.”

That’s just giving in, and I don’t want to throw my life away. I can’t be satisfied with going to the beach and moving one grain of sand.

So, no, because I’ve learned to be cheerful in the face of adversity and I don’t want to lose that ability.

But I’ve got to do something.

Maybe a guest lecture, as a (I don’t like the term) motivational speaker. I can tell my story, full of warning and encouragement, answer questions, provoke thinking, join the debate. I can do what I did, but more.

I can sleep less, but sleep better. I can write more and faster. I can extrude more articles and books. More blogs and vlogs.

I can get out more, into the real world, interact with people, share ideas.

Oh, wait.

I am. I do.

And just because it’s not enough, that shouldn’t stop me, as it never has.

So now I’ll go get something to eat to keep my blood sugar energy level up, and I won’t put down my pen.