Performing is my passion – the stage is my dream! Not to worry, though. I will be keeping my day job – at least for now! I am not out pursuing to be the next American Idol, nor do I ever expect to become a member of America’s Best Dance Crew. I’m simply on stage for Entertainment Purposes only! If I’ve given someone a reason to laugh; then my mission has been accomplished!
Being a teacher definitely has its benefits and rewards, but nothing is more special than being on our school’s Relay for Life Team. Throughout the year we hold several different fundraisers to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. My personal favorite is our annual Student/ Teacher Talent Show! You guessed it! A chance for me to get on the stage!
Over the years teachers have been singing nuns, dancing nuns, zombies dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, celebrity look-a-likes, and older ladies singing Workout Medley from Menopause the Musical. Each year we also try to include a Teacher Song to showcase all the beautiful voices that are hidden behind our typical teacher desks.
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During our show last year my emotions were flying in every direction while the performances hit the stage. At this point I had the biopsy of the tumor taken. I was patiently waiting for the results. Being around so many members of the community that were there for such an amazing cause let me know that, regardless of the outcome, I would not be alone. Even back then I was approaching the situation with humor dancing and singing between acts about my tumor! I will spare you the details…but we were all definitely laughing!
The results arrived. It was cancer. But just as I had predicted on the night of the show, I had a community of support showering me with love and prayers over the last ten months. We prayed that God would give us wisdom to find the path to recovering and He did just that! For now the doctors are thrilled with the treatments and have decided it was time for me to return to the world of teaching! I am still under their care, and will be for the next few years, but it is time to jump back into class and meet my students for the first time this year!
Returning to work has been timed perfectly! This is the month that we begin our talent show preparations. We will be hosting auditions for the students and gathering up teachers to prepare for our next big act! While we have not fully decided on our teaching performances just yet, I look forward to the night when I can celebrate life by singing and dancing on stage with my students and friends!
So back to school I go!
It’s SHOWTIME!
Cheryl Copeland is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about life’s lessons and her personal adventure with breast cancer.
