I thought as the years of teaching ticked higher that it would get easier; I’d finally become the seasoned teacher who could handle anything thrown at her. Year 14 took that hope and shattered it along with far too much of my trademark spirit and enthusiasm. I didn’t even get a few days under my belt. Day one brought with it the tide that would keep me spinning still to this day, and the catalyst for it all finds his name on a ballot to be the State Senator for our district. An open house at the start the school year led to a co-worker and me having pictures of our classroom plastered all over community pages and being labeled “groomers” because we had ally signs visible that were passed out to staff members years ago from our LGBTQ+ Club at school. Thousands of people who followed the page saw my name attached with a disgusting word that was opposite of everything I am and represent, a word that ruins careers and lives. He vowed to contact my administration, school board, ...