A Back to School Message For and About My Fellow Teachers...

It’s the time of year when hearts race in anticipation of the new school year. For some of us, life revolves around a fall-to-summer calendar, August being our January. I’m not talking about the students or parents, but the teachers who deep down, are just as excited and anxious about a new beginning, whether it’s their first or 31st. Unlike other professions, we start a new job each year, even if it’s the same grade at the same school in the same classroom, and for some of us, even the same kids.

This is the time of year where we are all superheroes (pun intended). We have visions of minds ablaze with inquisitiveness, eloquent words forming original thought and analysis, deep thinking that connects new learning to old, and an abundance of “a-ha” moments that make us keep going back in spite of the paperwork, unruly few of the child and adult kind, increasing class sizes and decreased resources.

We sit in bare walled, chaos and dream of what can be, memories of successful experiences fueling us to create, grow, design and inspire those little souls coming into our care for one hundred eighty days.

For some of us, there are rituals like first day of school outfits and books aligned a certain way. For others, it’s anticipation of kid sounds like giggles, zippers and binders. Still for others, a reminder of the fulfillment surrounding your own spirit because you truly know you were put on this earth to be a teacher. A teacher who guides, cares, gives, inspires, leads, encourages, picks up the crumpled pieces and sets upright what has been toppled. You know in your heart that this is where you belong whether your room is showplace worthy or waiting to be filled with student creations and energy.

For some of us, it’s our favorite time of year. To my brother and sister teachers, I bid you grace, patience and energy. You are loved, appreciated and worthy. In our hands we hold, “somebody’s baby.” Go on and change the world in spite of itself, one little baby at a time. 

Have a wonderful school year and remember this feeling on the rough days. Remember why you carry the torch, even in the thunderstorms. Remember, you are a teacher, and the world needs you.