Pat on the Back Moment

*Disclaimer: the following post may make you throw up a bit in your mouth.

This is my first year teaching.  I'm 27 years old, I graduated from Iowa State University in 2008, and this is my first year teaching.  I graduated as an elementary education, special education major.  I never thought in a million years that I would be teaching high school special education.  But here I am.  Now for the pat on the back... they love me, they really, honestly love me.  I have been told repeatedly that I am doing a fantastic job.  That they think I'm a God send for some of these students that need someone to help motivate them and be proud of them.  Well, today after a difficult IEP meeting, my principal fist bumped me and told me I was amazing.  He than told me that the head of special services (who had had misgivings about my ability to manage a classroom) had told a potential hire in an interview that I was the best teacher he had ever hired and the best in the district.   I don't know why you'd tell someone you want to possibly hire that there is someone they'll be measured against, but he did.  So I'm feeling pretty proud of myself right now... and thanks for reading.