School has started or is about to start for many this week. School supply sales have been running for the past month. I’ve watched parents try to figure out the best supplies to provide their kids. I’ve shared some of my education posts, preparing for the new school year. For the past few days and for the next couple of weeks, my Facebook feed will be flooded with back to school pictures – kids holding chalkboards or signs, excited smiles on their faces to start a new school year.
I loved going back to school when I was little. I remember getting to pick out new supplies. It was like a Christmas before Christmas for me. I’m a complete Type A personality, so the ability to get to organize my things, count and recount that I had every item on the list and then cross it off, was a special thrill for me. There is a line from the movie You Got Mail where Tom Hank’s characters writes that he would send Meg Ryan’s character a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils. If you haven’t smelled the fresh, invigorating scent of a freshly sharpened Ticonderoga #2 pencil and loved it, then you aren’t the absolute nerd I am. And when I say that, the only person I’m judging is myself.
Little Mister has “Meet the Teacher” this upcoming Friday and starts back at preschool next Tuesday. For the school year, every Tuesday and Thursday, we will wake up a little earlier, I will pack a lunch for him, and we will hustle out the door, trying to make it to his class on time.
To my son’s teacher –
You are taking on a challenging and invigorating role – guiding the young minds of little children as they discover our world.
For every morning when we struggle to get to school on time, I know that you had to work even harder to get there earlier.
For every afternoon when my children come home tired, I know that you want to just collapse in bed but you have lessons to plan and papers to grade.
You are the epitome of grace. You guide our children in learning more than just the alphabet, reading, math, and science. You provide more than just a love of music and art.
You develop their curiosity. You encourage discovery and imagination. You promote understanding of their worlds. And you do all of this with many children, trying to figure out the best for each of them.
As a teacher, you are constantly looking out for your students, ensuring their safety and well being. You watch for signs that something might be wrong, that their emotions might be bigger than they can handle. You care deeply about each student, many times as if they are your own child or an extension of your family.
At times when you need time alone to grade papers, plan lessons, or just have a moment to think, you’ll have students coming in to chat, to ask questions, or to receive some kind of comfort. You’ll set your work aside and focus on the student, ensuring their questions are answered, their concerns are met, and their trust in an adult is confirmed.
You will have parents. You will have so many parents. And each parent has their own needs, concerns, and issues. And you will handle it all with grace, reassuring parents, helping parents, and guiding parents, just as you do their children.
It isn’t always easy. It is stressful and sometimes even scary. But you handle it all with grace.
This year, when you are busy thinking about your students, administrators, lesson plans, and parents, don’t forget to think about yourself. Don’t forget to take a moment to breathe.
You are the greatest influence on our children’s lives for so many years, and I am truly grateful. I am grateful for the teachers who don’t give up on my kids when they aren’t listening or are struggling to follow directions, and I’m grateful for the teachers who don’t give up on me as a mom.
This school year is just starting, but for the next nine months, I can’t wait to see the influence you have on my children’s lives. I can’t wait to experience all the wonder that you instill in my children. I can’t wait to see all that they learn, all because of you.
Thank you.