Finding Purpose in the Classroom: A Connection Beyond Teaching

Finding Purpose in the Classroom: A Connection Beyond Teaching Our brains are extraordinary, capable of shifting modes depending on what we need. I feel this switch every time I step into a classroom to teach. It’s as if my mind turns on, transforming me into a different version of myself—one fully present, engaged, and alive. Teaching does that to me. There’s a unique sense of gratification and validation I feel when I’m with my students. It’s a feeling that brings me back to Sana. Teaching was the one thing she always said she could do, even when life felt overwhelming. I often wonder if that’s the purpose I’m meant to fulfill as well. Sana and I shared a special bond as educators. She always had a twinkle in her eye when she talked about her classroom. It was a light I cherished, one that revealed how deeply teaching filled her soul. I can still picture the joy and pride in her face when she shared stories about her students—their quirks, challenges, and triumphs. As an educator myself, we could talk endlessly about teaching. We both understood how transformative it could be, not just for students but for teachers too. There’s a certain clarity and peace that comes with standing in front of a classroom. You’re no longer thinking about the weight of your own worries; instead, you’re present for your students, listening with patience, care, and empathy. Sana embodied that presence. She was always a hundred percent there for her students, and I understand now how being there for them gave her life a different perspective. It’s the same for me. Teaching, in many ways, offers me a reprieve. It’s a reminder of connection, purpose, and the joy of learning alongside others. Although my students move on after twelve weeks, I hope I’ve given them something that sticks—a lesson, a memory, or just the feeling that they were seen and supported. And in this way, Sana’s light continues to guide me. Every time I teach, I carry her spirit with me, living out the purpose we both found in the classroom.