That Time of Year

I can still remember my last day of elementary school. As the bus pulled away, all of my elementary teachers from over the years stood outside smiling and waving at us, encouraging us to have a good summer.

As I sat there, the summer air pouring in through open windows, I sobbed my eyes out. I felt wrecked at the thought of leaving the teachers and school that had been a safe place for me over many years of personal loss and turmoil.

Perhaps this is why I’m reminded during this time of year that it is normal to see an increase in big emotions and big behaviors. For some of our students, life at school feels more calm and predictable than life at home. This is true for some of the adults too.

So, when emotions run high and behaviors seem a bit ridiculous, let’s give more love than seems necessary. More understanding than necessary. I’m certainly not saying we don’t maintain order. But when you find yourself frustrated because well, being a teacher isn’t for the faint of heart, give yourself a minute to see that behavior is communication.

And some of the humans we serve are trying to tell us that they are scared. They are sad. They are worried about their time away this summer.

Maybe do the same for yourself. Many of us are on edge. Many of have are beyond tired. Many of us have been battling the same struggles all year. So, it makes sense we might make some mistakes. We might wish we had handled a situation or conversation differently.

Instead of beating ourselves up about it, let’s do what we need to do to make it right. When we are sorry, we say we are sorry. When we are wrong, we say we are wrong. We learn, and we move forward. This is a lesson I’m going to have to learn over and over again which is why I wrote about it in Legacy of Learning. We don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.

I was talking to a friend who I can see is working really hard and who is spread very thin. I reminded her that while she takes care of everyone else, it’s important she take care of herself too. We cannot give to others that which we don’t have for ourselves.

Instead of putting too much pressure on ourselves to execute perfectly these last couple of weeks, let’s extend deep care to ourselves, our students, and each other.

Perhaps if we show our students how loving the world can be, they will go out and create a more loving world for all of us.