Turning point

I think I had a turning point at work last week. I was booked pretty much fully all week, which was busy and meant I had to start scheduling breaks and paperwork catch-up times. (Up until now I've had some days with no students booked in at all.) It's good, though, because it means the students need/want my services and it shows the school they are right to employ me for as many hours as they do. Also, three students, through no prompting of my own, shared life issues that they're dealing with, with me. Two just wanted to get it off their chest and one asked advice. ('I see that you're married. How do you know someone is the right person? Is he still the right person?' – Tough, poignant questions.) This was important because, without realising it, I had been feeling like I had a superficial relationship with my students. I don't teach the same class all the time anymore; they're not children, who need me and share everything unguardedly; and I was feeling like it could be anyone in there doing my job and it would make no difference. Then when these three students, all of whom I worked with last semester quite a bit, opened up to me spontaneously about some pretty heavy problems, I felt privileged and knew that I have now been there long enough to earn their trust. Also, this job can be as rewarding and meaningful as classroom teaching, in a different way.