From the Ag Teacher's Wife

Dear WF FFA members,

I know you all probably think I don't exist.  There is a picture of me, Mr. Johnson, and our little dog hanging out on his desk but most of you have never seen me in person.  Much like the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy, or Santa Clause... Maybe Mr. Johnson just made me up as a good story to keep y'all guessing.

No.  I'm here.  I'm the ag teacher's wife.

It's hard being the ag teacher's wife.  Not because of the late nights he spends at school grading or watering the greenhouse.  See, many of those nights he's at school working, I'm right there beside of him.  I'm watering the greenhouse in my camo crocs.  I'm sitting with him working on my laptop while he finishes up.  This summer we raised chicks in our den and constructed a chicken coop with sweet friends for you to play with and take care of.  I nursed those baby chicks by hand.  I wept when they died from sickness or accident.

It's not the numerous weeks he's away from home during the summer at State FFA Convention or camp.  I understand better than anyone how those weeks at leadership camp will change you.

The hardest thing for me is having to sit back on the bench and watch y'all grow and play.  Occasionally I'm invited in to get to know a few of you.  When that happens, I see all the potential Mr. Johnson talks about in you.  I also can see some of the frustrations and disappointments he has too.  I brainstorm with him when he's coaching you.  I catch myself pulling for you and wanting big things for your future too.  How strange is it for your teacher's wife to want to help you win poultry judging? Or see you go to university? Or realize your hidden talent for speaking in front of groups? How odd is it for me to want to see you overcome your fear of failure or beat your internal shame tape that says you're not good enough? Pretty strange... because I'm the ag teacher's wife.  

But see, I was an ag teacher too. God has led me down another path in life and I do not regret where I am now.

I have no desires or plans to return to the classroom.  But sometimes...especially when school is going back...

It's hard being just the ag teacher's wife.