Like thousands of teachers around the Atlanta area at this very moment, I am counting the hours that I have left of summer vacation. Usually summers feel so quick, but this one has been EVER-LASTING. For one reason, it kind of started in mid-March. I mean, not really, but yes, really. That is when my kids and I began spending, um, every waking moment together. (Courtesy of Fulton County Teleschool!) So, yeah, I am pretty okay with going back to work tomorrow.
But people, it is going to be weird.
No hugs, no visible smiles, no large gatherings, no applauding.
It's pre-planning, Covid-style.
😷
So, I need a pep talk. (Maybe you do too, if you are a fellow teacher.)
I want to remember WHY I am a teacher. I need some pre-inspiration for pre-planning.
Here goes....
I worked my (cute little) tail off to get my job. I am so glad that Taylor Road Middle School admins gave me the chance to prove that I could teach 6th graders! I don't do it for the money. (Clearly.) Or the ease. (Have YOU ever been blessed out by a Karen-helicopter-mama with regards to her son's test grade?!)
I do it for the kids. I love those kids...like 99% of them. (I know you get that and you won't judge me.)
I keep thinking about the kind of summer experiences that some of my 150 future students are having...They watch TV until there are no Netflix shows left to be watched. They play Xbox games to level 1,000. They wear out local cellphone towers. And now, now they must gaze into the black mirrors (their device screens) for hours a day, rather than GOING to school. Some students have immuno-compromised siblings or parents, and so they have barely ventured outside the house in months.
(Disclaimer: Please don't read anything into that statement. I know that our leaders could not win with this decision they had to make, either way. I love my bosses, for real. Their heart is to keep us safe.)
On August 17th, I get to meet my kids. I get to give them a big smile and make them laugh and teach them Social Studies stuff. I get to begin to build a "family" of 6th graders, albeit a remote learning one. I get to connect with them, and help them connect with each other. They have the strangest first-day-of-middle-school in recent history. But I get to help them through it. I have quite a privilege. And if I get irritated at how I have to do things or what kind of rules that I have to follow, I will lose my joy and potentially lose the chance to really love these kids well. I will be full of ME and there won't be room in my heart for THEM. May it never be.
So, 17 hours until I get to prepare to bring laughter, knowledge, and love into 150 homes around Johns Creek. Yay! I feel inspired already!