"...in her case, the punishment could have done real psychological damage. That’s why I decided to waive it”  

Chava strode eagerly down the hall toward her classroom; it was the first day back after Succos vacation, and she’d prepared an exciting Navi class. She’d come to a decision, over these last few days of vacation, that she was going to make a fresh start. To approach this new zeman of learning as if the school year had just begun, and she was coming in with enthusiasm and confidence — like she always had in the past.

She nodded as she passed Mrs. Litwin, then, on impulse, she stopped and said, “Good to be back, no? How was your Yom Tov?”

Shira Litwin gave her a bleary smile. “Great, but exhausting. My whole family flew in. It was really nice to see everyone, but now my toddler’s sleep schedule is totally off.” She shifted her purse (it was a Marc Jacobs, just like the students had) and lifted her hand to stifle a yawn.

“It was so hard waking up this morning knowing I was back to that race of dropping the kids off at their babysitter and getting to work on time.”

Chava shook her head in commiseration. “That’s really rough. I remember when I was at your stage. It takes every ounce of strength just to get through the day. Especially when you’re running on no sleep.”

“Exactly!”

As Chava watched her colleague nodding vociferously, something shifted inside. Since the beginning of the year, she’d been viewing Shira Litwin as a competitor, as the model of the young, with-it teacher who was everything she wasn’t. But… really, she was just a young adult starting out in life, struggling to balance marriage, children, and work — just like Chava’s own daughters.

Placing a hand on Shira’s shoulder, she said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get through these years, and then things will be easier. Just stick with it; you’ve got a real talent for teaching and reaching these girls.”

Shira’s cheeks glowed as she thanked Chava, and Chava walked off, feeling suddenly buoyant.