Change

"There is nothing permanent except change." - Heraclitus

In November 2021, I was appointed to a new school. This readjustment was quite disappointing to me. I tried to negotiate with the argument that I wanted to continue the work I had already begun with my students. However, deep within me, I was thinking beyond this; I was thinking about the difficulties of adjusting to new school culture, developing relationships with new kids, and how long it would take to establish trust.

However, I had no option but to attend one of the new schools assigned to me. I did it reluctantly and am now in front of my new workplace.

At the school's gate, a security guard questioned me harshly about my purpose there and demanded to see my vaccination card. Afterward, I was instructed to wait for the rector to return from the morning assembly. I waited for nearly 30 minutes, and my worry and stress levels rose with each passing minute. While everyone else was wondering what on earth I was doing here, an older man's warm smile appeared, asking me if I was Emilie, the new tutor. It was the rector, and he expressed his joy in having me work with students having learning difficulties. In one second, all my fears faded with a grin and him calling me by my name.

Most of the heads at the previous schools where I worked never remembered my name. Throughout my experience, I've been referred to as the XYZ teacher; for example,

in Seychelles, the head teacher referred to me as the Mauritian Teacher, which resulted in half of the school staff calling me that. But this was not their fault; I will not hold it against them. I know they are continuously working under pressure and are always busy. This is why it pleasantly surprised me when I realized that the rector had retained my name, making me feel more at ease. It gives me the impression that he knows I am not only a teacher but, most importantly, Emilie, a human being.

Afterward, I also met the students with whom I will be working, and they were all happy to have a new tutor to assist them. I am now looking forward to getting to know them more this year.

The point I was trying to make with this short and simple story is that, whether we like it or not, life is full of surprises, and new experiences are always around the corner. Change is not always negative but can also become an opportunity to discover that things can get better. All we have to do is to give it a shot, and we might be surprised by the results.

Our uncertainties and fears should never prevent us from making the most of any journey that can contribute to our personal growth. Some changes might surprise us and turn out better than we imagined. Even though we will meet many closed doors and cold shoulders, some changes might offer us happiness and make us understand that life is neither black nor white but rather grey. All we have to do is to shine through it.

So, may you shine brightly and share your light in 2022!