05.04.2016

As I scroll through social media tonight, I keep seeing posts about Teacher Appreciation--students recognizing current teachers and adults reminiscing about former teachers--all of which make me nostalgic. Teacher Appreciation Week can come and go, and I wouldn't realize it, if not for the Monday morning breakfast, candy bar in my mailbox, ice cream and brownie faculty meeting, and later this week our PTC will provide lunch for us.  All very nice gestures, and I appreciate each one, but that isn't the appreciation that means the most to me.  It's hearing from former students who genuinely tell me how much my classes meant to them.  It's the invitations to college graduations....invitations to weddings...the sweet messages and visits I receive on random days of the year that truly let me know I am appreciated.  So, with that being said, I want to thank the multitude of educators who impacted my life:

1. Mrs. Batchelor, my first grade teacher.  She made learning fun.
2. Mrs. Grosh (not sure of the spelling), my second grade teacher.  That's the year we realized they had divided us into three levels: gifted, average, and slow.
3. Mrs. Haynes, my third grade teacher.  She's responsible for my handwriting skills, and I always give her credit when people compliment my writing.
4. Mrs. Tilson, one of my fifth grade teachers, who once said that she liked how I sat quietly in class, listened, then formulated my opinion.
5. Mrs. Whitfield, one of my sixth grade teachers.  She was an amazing teacher, who truly showed her students how to live good lives.
6. Mr. Gladney, junior high science teacher.  He made science an amazing subject to learn.
7. Mrs. Curtis, junior high social studies teacher, who introduced the stock market game to us long before computers, apps, and the Internet.  We followed our stock by reading newspapers.

While I had many inspirational teachers at Wills High School, one of the most inspiring was Miss Baker, and she is the reason I became an English teacher.  Miss Baker did strange things, but she brought literature to life and encouraged our writing.  A few years ago as I taught a gifted summer academy at Kennesaw State University, I had the privilege of seeing Miss Baker on campus.  She and her husband were attending a continuing education class....retired and still learning.  One amazing lady!

I love learning.  I always have.  If I didn't have to earn a living, I would be a full time student.  My love for learning blossomed because of the many teachers who loved teaching me just like I enjoy teaching today.  Yes, being a teacher isn't easy--I don't think it's ever been easy.  Yes, waking up at 5:20 and arriving at work by 7:20 and leaving sometime between 4:30 and 5:00 isn't easy.  It's exhausting.  Yes, teachers deserve more of everything....better pay....more respect....better students....nicer parents....more support....BUT...when it's all said and done, I would not trade my job for anything.  I receive a decent salary....I receive more respect than not....I teach some really wonderful students (this year)....received a really nice email from a parent today....and have a supportive department and administrators (this year).

See, teaching is about more than just teaching.  I witness their entrance into high school and (God willing) their exit at graduation.  And, if I'm really lucky, I receive updates about their lives via social media, random emails, and surprise visits.  If you had a teacher that inspired you, please take the time to let him or her know. ❤️

04.21.2016

Found this jewel today and thought it would make a good topic for my blog:

"In the midst of a storm, the sunshine and rainbows are even more beautiful."

--Simply Topaz

I used this quote to write a short passage about one of my graduating seniors for the school's yearbook.  Each year seniors ask teachers to write a "quote" for them, and it's printed in the yearbook for posterity.  This year Gretchen asked me to do the honor for her--and an honor it is; however, I can't really think of Gretchen without a lump in my throat and tears threatening to flow down my cheeks.  You see, Gretchen's mom has battled cancer twice during Gretchen's high school career--succeeding the first time, but not so the second time. Gretchen's mom has only a few months to live, and it's Gretchen's senior year.  

When I found this quote, I thought it symbolized Gretchen so well because in the midst of her storm, she has continued to take challenging Advanced Placement courses, play in the band, be a role model for her younger sister, take her mother to appointments, pick up her mother's medicine, cook meals for the family, and make excellent grades.  NEVER asking for an extension; NEVER making excuses; NEVER using her mom's cancer as a reason to get out of an assignment.  She will be attending college; she has received excellent scholarships, and all while she knows she is losing her mom.  I don't know when I have seen such poise from a 17-year old kid.  

So, I dedicate today's blog to those children--who despite all of the bad stuff in this world--manage to rise up, keep going, and succeed.  Thank you, Gretchen, for being such a wonderful role model.  I will miss your presence next year, but I cannot wait to hear about your accomplishments. 

04.20.2016

Let's face it...stress abounds everywhere...but stress almost evolved into a panic attack today, and I had to talk myself out of running down the hall screaming, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore" (Network, 1976).  Instead, I calmly watched the clock tick down to my planning period.  Calculatingly, I turned off the glaring fluorescent lighting, locked my door, and planned to stay in my room--tucked away from sight--to simply breathe.  However, that plan went out the window as my colleague came to the door and asked if she could use my room to interview a student.  Of course, I said, "Sure."  Then, what happened next, really told me my plan was done.  She asked if she could turn on the lights, those bright, glaring fluorescent lights.  Of course, I said, "Sure," as I promptly gathered my notebook, pens, and iPhone in search of a quiet place to gather my thoughts, meditate, if you will.

Do you realize there are no quiet places in a high school?  No unoccupied space existed today.  The library has now become an overflow gathering spot for those who do not want to sit in the cafeteria--and it's noisy in there.  And before you ask, nope, we do not have a "teacher's lounge"-- who has time to lounge anymore?  Certainly not teachers.

I continued my search for quiet, and then I saw it--a miracle occurring before my eyes:  a teacher with her students in the computer lab!  You may be wondering about the miracle, and it may not be a miracle to you, but it was to me.  Their presence in the computer lab meant I had access to a quiet, empty classroom.  I asked permission, and permission was granted--who could deny a desperate teacher sanctuary?

I locked the door.  Kept the lights off.  Went to the back of the classroom and sat down to breathe.  Freed my thoughts.  Breathed some more.  Organized my thoughts.  Continued breathing.  After I left the classroom, I took a long walk around campus, soaking up the sunshine and warm breeze.  That's all I needed--time to breathe and warm sunshine.

Allowing myself thirty minutes of uninterrupted quiet time gave me the energy to finish the day with less stress.  

But the story doesn't end there.  As my senior AP students arrived, one girl asked if she could have five minutes--just five minutes--to gather her thoughts.  Normally, I would not have allowed such a luxury:  imagine students needing time to gather their thoughts!  Ha!  Yep, I gave them five minutes to close their eyes, to sit in the cool darkness of the classroom, gathering their thoughts.

I explained to my students what had happened to me earlier in the day, and I let them know that, like them, I, too, have moments where I just need quiet.  As I explained my earlier journey, several students said that they had seen me walking around.  I guess I became more real to them in that moment.

While spring brings warmer weather, beautiful flowers, and budding trees, it also brings stress...schedule issues because of testing upon testing...projects...end-of-the year demands...deadlines...on and on until everyone is ready to scream, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"  Take the time to breathe.  Take the time to gather your thoughts.  Take the time to take care of yourself.  If you don't, who will?