Since her retirement from teaching Miss Beryl's health had in many respects greatly improved, despite her advancing years. An eighth-grade classroom was an excellent place to snag whatever was in the air in the way of illness. Also depression, which, Miss Beryl believed, in conjunction with guilt, opened the door to illness. Miss Beryl didn't know any teachers who weren't habitually guilty and depressed--guilty they hadn't accomplished more with their students, depressed that very little more was possible.
Since retiring from teaching, Miss Beryl's health has notably improved, particularly considering her age. She reflects on how an eighth-grade classroom is often a breeding ground for various illnesses, both physical and emotional. In her view, emotions like depression, particularly when mixed with guilt, can lead to poor health. This perception highlights the challenging environment teachers often face.
Miss Beryl feels that guilt is a common thread among educators, who frequently lament that they haven't done enough for their students. This sense of responsibility often leads to feelings of depression, as they confront the limitations of what they can achieve. The cycle of guilt and disappointment is a shared experience among many teachers, revealing the emotional toll of the profession.
