Dear Teacher,
I know I haven’t been around. And for that I am sorry. I really am.
I have tried to make my comeback and that has led to a lot of stops and starts. To be honest, I have been at a loss. Not writer’s block exactly. I have just been at a loss for words. I just haven’t know what to say.
I don’t ever want this to be about anything political. My goal has always been to be an encouragement and hope to all of you who pour your heart out every day to students, families, and communities. But something has changed since the last presidential election. The world has shifted. And everything seems a little upside down.
And I just haven’t known what to say. I don’t know how to encourage. I don’t know what hope that you need. My words have been gone. My voice has been hoarse.
We have all have had the experience as teachers when we get sick, have allergies, or just plain run out of voice. We can barely speak, yet we need to teach. We have no voice let, yet we need to use it. Our throat hurts, yet the words must come.
That is how I have felt when it comes to writing to you. Everything I think I want to say seems to come out scratchy and distorted. My voice is not clear and my words seem all jumbled.
But…
Just like in the classroom, our lack of voice is not always forever. Our throats clear. Our words return.
And that is where I am now. I think I know what my voice might be here. I can still be a conduit of challenge, hope, and encouragement. I can still help you know how awesome that you are and cheer you on in your fight for students.
And that fight…that fight is where we are as educators. The fight is as big as it has always been, and it is moving into new arenas and to new stages. The fight is bigger than each individual classroom. The fight is more than just the students in your room, but it is for the students in every room…and for the teachers that teach them…and you are finding your voice there now, too.
We are all starting to see that our teacher voice is important. It is needed. We use it to call attention in our classroom and our schools…and now it is being heard in our communities, states, and country. And many of us are now using that voice.
The fight for students is a noble one. It is hard in the classroom, but it is even harder outside of it. And I still want to be here for you in that fight. I am here for you in what you need to do to reach and change the future for our students.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still not going to make this about anything political, but I might be mixing in some thoughts of hope about the other struggles you are working against. You need to remember that you are worth the trouble because you are making the world better for students.
So I applaud you for doing what you feel needs to be done. It is not wrong to seek a world that makes reaching and teaching students to change their future a priority. Your voice deserves to be heard, and I am glad you are finding it.
And I am finding mine to spur you on. All I ask that if you like a post, share it. If you have a thought, send it. And if you need me to encourage you in something here, just ask.
Teacher, you are amazing! You do awesome and incredible things for the sake of those kids that are in your class and in your heart! Please do not give up hope. Please do not give up faith. You do matter. You are important. And you most definitely are making a difference! YOU ROCK!
Love, Teacher
Dear Teacher/Love Teacher 