I finally managed to sit down and write about my last lesson even though it all seems so trivial now. But writing about it has given me closure. I'm relieved it's done. So, here's how it went down.

I taught my last lesson at the school almost two weeks ago. I couldn’t write about it earlier because it affected me a lot. I was very upset at the way things ended. I kept it all inside as I tried to get through that last day and be able to leave without showing my feelings. I didn't want to give them that satisfaction. I just wanted to get it over with then get home as soon as possible.

So I did my prep thing when I arrived and started the countdown to the end of the day. I stayed in the classroom the whole time and only stepped out for a quick bite. My last student showed up in the afternoon and he was just great. He really lifted my spirits. He told me he and his girlfriend were about to leave on a trip around the world. He said he’d be gone for several months. I listened to all his plans and was truly happy for him. He was so excited about the trip it rubbed off on me. I was glad I was his last teacher before he left. I gave him my business card so we could keep in touch. The hardest part was holding in my feelings and not telling him that when he came back to the school for lessons I wouldn’t be there. I didn’t tell him because I felt I’d ruin his upbeat mood before his trip. And I didn’t want to cry – not at work, and especially not in front of that a-hole I was working for. So my last student told me about all his adventures and went away happy. And I was happy for him. That was the only bright spot that day. Everything else was crap.

I had to sign a lot of paperwork – mostly because they wanted to cover their butts. I also think they had the idea that because I used to work for lawyers I could cause a problem. I know I probably could cause them problems over the way they handled a few things – but why would I want to? I was so fed up at that point. So I finally just walked away and I’m glad I did. That whole situation left me emotionally exhausted. Now that some time has passed I think I’d like to teach online. I’m tired of running around and dealing with office BS. I could stay home, teach from there – even stay in my jammies if I want to – and not have to deal with office politics, the commute to different companies, jerky bosses and so on. I can perform, which is probably why I ended up teaching in the first place. Think Robin Williams in "Good Morning Vietnam" with a few phrasal verbs thrown in. The best thing is I’ll be able to be myself. Teaching introduced me to a part of myself I didn't know. I knew the drama queen, the director, the legal eagle gal, the reader, the mantra chanter, and a few other selves. But I didn't know the teacher. I like her a lot. I always thought of teachers as stiff, strict, boring, and often on the chunky side. Those were the types I always had (not to mention the psychotic nuns) and they always bored and annoyed me. But that ain't so. I can be myself and show my personality. And I can feel good about it.