Dear Teacher,
For two wonderful, glorious minutes I thought today was Friday. Then like a slap to the face the shock set in that it was merely Thursday. It was like a cold water wake up…but now I am away to my Thursday reality.
That reality is simple:
- I am a teacher.
- It is a school day.
- I have a job to do.
- I have minds to mold.
- I have hearts with which to connect.
- I have students’ needs to meet.
- I have arrows to block from my students.
- I have monsters that need to be fought for my students.
- I have content to teach.
- I have concepts to make real.
- I have weight that I need to carry for others.
- I have lessons that need to be lessened.
- I have ideas that need to be thought.
- I have thoughts that need to be communicated.
- I have too much to do and prioritizing that needs to happen.
- I have a future to affect.
- I have a world to make better.
- I have a difference to make.
- I have students who need me.
- I have me to be.
- I am a teacher.
The thing is, no matter what day of the week it is. You, I, and all teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world. We need to embrace all that we are as educators. I hear others (and myself) complain about all that we have to be for students. I am not talking about standards and administration expectations…I mean all that we have to be for students. We have to give them supplies. We have to make sure the get to where they are going. We have to remind, reteach, and re-give instructions until we can’t take it anymore. We have to be nurses. We have to be moms and dads. We have to be mentors. We have to be protectors. We have to be advocates. We have to be forgiving. We have to be patient. Oh, and we have to be teachers. We have so much that we have to be. It is easy to be overwhelmed.
I need to spend more time embracing these all-too-many roles that I have. I need to remember why I do what I do. It is because I care for my students. If they do not have what they need outside of school in these many parts we have to play, then we need to be those things and do so with pride. This is why we are in this game to start with. We are here to make a difference. We need to make that difference and do so joyfully…even when we are too tired to do so much.
And even when it is not Friday.
You are so awesome. I know you are better at embracing these things than I am. One day I will be as good as you. You are making that difference. You are embracing those roles. You are amazing! Keep on teaching and making a difference, Teacher!
Love, Teacher
Dear Teacher/Love Teacher 