Lots of late work trickling in. Must be nearing the end of the term. Of course, this is not an uncommon phenomenon. It happens every term, everywhere. Teachers encounter late work. It comes with the territory.

But, as common as it may be, we seem to deal with it in a variety of ways. In my twenty-five years, I have run the gamut, from not accepting late work to deducting points to now taking it whenever they get it to me, even, in some rare cases, if that means after the term is over. I tell my kids, especially now, “Do what you can, when you can.”

Well, it seems, “when” is now for a lot of my kids. Then, of course, I have to accept what I have offered. And I do, graciously and without penalty. But isn’t timeliness important? Isn’t there a teachable moment in this for responsibility, for accountability? Probably, but I find those considerations secondary to the primary: learning.

And I tried to communicate that to my kiddos in my latest My Room Message.

Most of our deadlines are arbitrary constructs that either fit the calendar or create convenience–for us. Learning isn’t time bound, it does not regard calendar or convenience. It, regardless our attempts at control, happens at its own pace. And so I let it. What they can, when they can.

I am not going anywhere. I will be here when they are ready. I am contracted to help kids learn. And I believe I best do that by providing opportunity and possibility. Inconvenient? Yes. I accepted that long ago. Working with humans is inconvenient. I work with humans. I teach humans, and it’s never been convenient. Maybe it’s not supposed to be.

Happy Monday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.