It’s a bit of madness, I think. There seems, at times, a disconnect between what should be and what is on any given day, in any given classroom, during any given year. And amidst the madness, between the ends, dwells the teacher.

It should be as simple as teachers teach and students learn. Should be. And though even teachers are generally wise to the mirage of “should be,” we, too, are drawn to this false oasis, as we set about our journey, each year, each day. We can’t help it, for most of us are eternal optimists, even if only for our kids. We owe them that. So each year, each morning, we put on our face-the-world smiles and hope–just hope–that today, that this year, everything will go, will be as it should. If only. For as the mirage fades into the horizon so does our smile as we face what is.

And what is, is never simple. It’s crazily complex, and maddeningly messy in its raw reality. And each day “what is” is rarely what should be. And though I do not know which “is” is in store for me today, this is what was yesterday.

• He got suspended again.
• Half the classes were gone on the biology field trip.
• Admin asked me to do a practice run of the Smarter Balanced Assessment with my kids before Monday.
• I can only get the Chrome Books two days this week.
• The wi-fi was not working.
• She needed me to remember that “great advice” I gave her on her essay ten days ago before break. And so did all her neighbors.
• There were sixteen hands up needing help, with five minutes left in class.
• Many kids indicated they will be gone to FBLA state Wednesday through Friday.
• Most kids reported they have games in various sports all week and will miss class in the afternoon.
• He won’t do it if I don’t sit down and do it with him.
• He won’t do it–no matter what I do,
• She can do it all, and more, without me.
• His ego was on the other end of my feedback. And so was everyone else’s as I gave them feedback, too.
• I was stressed about my own life.
• She needed food and water. I needed food and water.
• They didn’t understand why they had to take the SBA again. I neither had the time nor a good answer. I don’t understand, either.
• Speaking of the SBA, should I have done more prep? Should I try to squeeze some in? Do I care? (madness)
• I had to use the restroom. There were thirty minutes left in class.

Okay, enough (sorry for the TMI), but the list goes on. It always does. And though what should be and what is rarely agree, we do our best to meet the day ahead. And as we look out on our kids with needs bigger than we, we find again our fading smile and live in the reality of teaching, chasing the next mirage, embracing our place of madness. It’s what we do. It’s who we have to be in this mad, mad world. We are teachers, all of us. Mad, every one.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…writing conclusions.

…wrapping up essays.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all. Hope no one took my post as my complaining. I love my job. It’s just really tough sometimes. Still love it though, even on the toughest of days.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.