It’s been a rough week in the education world, and that’s putting things mildly. My heart hurts at all the devastation across America’s schools. As teachers, we pour our hearts into these children. We hope they’ll grow up remembering us, that we’ve impacted their lives in some way, or at least recall one single thing we taught them. Never in my career have I wished so much that the biggest thing my precious third graders take with them is a simple classroom rule:
We are all best friends.
Every year this is the one and only rule that I add to the “Classroom Rules” list. The rest of the list is compiled by the students. Typically, I don’t have a lot of bickering or drama amongst my students. We have each other’s backs. We take care of each other. We are the Nerds in Third…and we are all best friends.
I can’t begin to tell you a single theory about how to help America’s youth. Sure, I have some ideas swirling around about how we can parent better or implement different strategies in our schools. But I don’t have an answer and won’t claim to. All I know is that it’s been a rough week. I’m emotionally wrecked and so are my co-workers. It’s become way too easy to focus on the media and the negative happenings. It’s exhausting to hold your breath just waiting for another terrible report while hoping the madness will end.
I have babies in public school.
My 5-year-old niece had to miss a day of kindergarten this week. She had to miss a day of her favorite thing on earth because a teenager brought a gun into their school. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about pulling my own children out of public school and keeping us all home every day. Yet I know deep down, I chose this career to help kids in every situation. It’s like a marriage–for better or for worse.
10 Reasons I Still Love Teaching…
Even in this horrible time, in this seemingly pivotal moment in American schools, I still love this job. I love these people. Here’s why:
- Hugs.
Every single day I get no less than 10 hugs from current and past students–and sometimes kids I don’t even know! - Smiles.
Those kids are just so darn happy. Even if they’re a little grumpy, it doesn’t take much to make them smile again. - The simple things.
Do you even realize how far a tiny sticker goes in the life of a third grader? Or sharing a love for similar sports teams? (Go BLUE!) Small things go far. - Mail.
Drawings, notes, coloring pages–if you’re a teacher, you know.
- Lightbulb moments.
Is there anything better than that moment when a concept you’ve been working so hard on finally clicks with a student? This is what teaching is all about. - Stories.
Sometimes they’re long-winded and totally irrelevant, but I really love listening to third-grade storytelling. - Recess.
You just have to cut loose and play with the kids sometimes! I don’t always love recess duty, but jumping on the swings with the kids is just what is needed to relieve stress (until I get motion sick, but it’s ok). - Being their person.
Let’s face it, not every student comes from a perfect home. For some, school is their only happy place, and teachers are the only ones they can count on. Heartbreaking as it is, it’s good to know you can be the one they can trust through thick and thin. - Teaching Tribes.
Teacher besties are the only other people who truly “get it” because they’re living the crazy right beside you. I’ve been blessed with amazing co-workers and can’t imagine working without them! - Love.
Even on the most stressful days in the classroom, I feel loved. I might feel crazy, exhausted, majorly stressed, and ready to give it all up. But at the end of the day, when I’ve curled up on the couch to grade papers while group-texting my teacher tribe….I truly feel nothing but love for my students. Even the one who picks her nose a lot.
I’d love to end this post with some spectacular piece of advice or some profound words, but I’m at a loss. Just send your good vibes or positive juju. Just please pray for our schools, our teachers, and most importantly–our children.
XoXo
Jessica
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Teachers touch so many lives!!! You all need paid more!! This made me cry again… thinking of Abbie so close to the violence!!! I work at a bank.. you would think I should have to worry more than you and the kids!!!
Thank you for doing what you do. Kids need a positive influence in this world full of negativity. I still remember the great teachers I had. I was lucky enough to have AMAZING teachers for Kindergarten (yep, I remember her!) Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Sixth Grade, and a few in middle school and high school. They were the ones who motivated me, kept me going, and I still think of them and feel thankful often. I am in my thirties, but I will never forget those teachers
Teachers stay in our hearts and memories forever. My first grade teacher was my most positive motivation to become an educator! My kindergarten teacher was my example of how to never ever treat kids! lol
As an Australian teacher of refugees and asylum seekers, I totally understand where you are coming from in terms of the complexities surrounding our profession, and your comment about teaching being like a marriage struck a real chord. I am entering the final phase of my teaching career with two of my adult children also going into the profession, and I can’t imagine not teaching. We are so blessed to have such a huge and wondrous responsibility to nurture and grow our “babies” (my students range in age from 12 to 26 and they are all my babies), and I guess at the end of the day, that is our no-matter-what stance. Your 10 reasons are what sustains us when we are in the midst of challenge, change and chaos.
Thank you for your beautiful, heartfelt words.
Yes. This has been a really hard time. As a mom my heart aches for all of the parents whose children were taken away. You did a wonderful job shining a positive light in the mist of all of the trouble happening. Please continue to be an awesome teacher because these kids need you. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Toni! ❤️