They tell my students that mistakes are a part of teaching, that teaching like learning is growing.

 

Last night I hosted a teacher panel for my college students. I do it every quarter. I ask some of my high school colleagues to join us for an hour, asking them to share their words of wisdom with my wide-eyed, soon-to-be teachers. It is the highlight of the quarter for many reasons, but I think most of all, it gives my just-entering-the-ed-program students a glimpse of the human side of teachers. This may sound a bit odd, but these kids’ experiences have only been from the student side of the room, with generally only their K-12 experiences and two years of college. And though some certainly have had some significant relationships with their teachers along the way, they still have only seen, only known them as teachers. But each quarter as my awesome colleagues sit down with them as fellow educators, they get a hint of what the human side of teaching looks like, and last night was no exception.

The discussion begins with the teachers introducing themselves, sharing their names, what they teach, how long they have been teaching, and what they wish they had known when they started teaching. From there, we open it to questions, and for the next hour a rich discussion about teaching ensues. And while there certainly are some nuts and bolts to the conversation–it is a course on classroom management, there are also questions about how to take care of yourself as a teacher: time/stress management, burnout avoidance, isolation, etc. And of all the things my colleagues share, I think this part of the discussion always sets my students’ minds at ease the most, for my colleagues reveal their human sides.

They tell my students that they cannot do it all. They tell my students to make time for themselves. They tell my students to leave it at school. They tell my students they don’t have to grade everything. They tell my students they don’t have to know everything. They tell my students that mistakes are a part of teaching, that teaching like learning is growing. They tell my students that real teachers don’t do EdTPA lesson planning (that’s only in college). They tell my students to surround themselves with like-minded, passionate colleagues who will support them. In the end, the gist of what they tell my students is that teachers need teachers.

And we do. We need others who understand the insanely impossible but richly rewarding job we do all day, every day. For we never really leave it at school. Just because we left that stack of essays at school does not mean that we are not wondering and worrying over our students, recalling and reflecting on our many mistakes, and dreaming and scheming about our next kick-ass lesson. It is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week calling for which there is no hanging up. We are on call. We are teachers. And if we did not have each other, we could not make it. I need those colleagues who shared themselves with my students last night. They are my witnesses. They are my supporters. They are my confidants. They are my shoulders to cry on and my bellies to laugh with. They are my teachers, and I need them. Teachers need teachers. And I am grateful that my students heard this message last night.

I have been thinking a lot about this with my recent, thread-gone-viral experience, wondering why it has resonated with so many across the nation, especially teachers. Especially teachers. And I wonder if perhaps what’s at play is that it served as a common connection and reminder that it is okay–that it is necessary–for us to treat our kids with kindness and compassion, that our instincts matter, that we teach kids before content, that we can find comfort in knowing that others know and do what we do, that we are not alone–we are not alone, that there others out there–everywhere, who get it, who do it. Every single moment of every single day. I am glad you are out there. I am glad that I am not alone. Thank you.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns.

…keep working on writing and speaking.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme

Happy Wednesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.