Skip to main content

Here I am.


Here I am.
Leaving the sunshine and flexibility of summer behind for the first time
Forced to unload armfuls of new ideas and lamination in the hallway
So I can pat down pockets to locate my keys.
Slowly I prop open the heavy door.
With a quick flick, fluorescent lights flood this familiar space.
The musty smell of books and untouched stacks piled high greet me
Hello old friends.
Here I am.

Being a teacher would be awesome to have your summers off.
They say.
And here I am late Sunday night.
Shuffling furniture can feel as heavy as the weight of this calling at times.
Moving piles of new curriculum to their home
And supplies as numerous as the individual needs that will soon fill this space.
Here I am.

Overwhelming feelings bring into focus the huge task ahead.
Stress starts to creep in
Threatening to suffocate and paralyze my best efforts.
So much to do to prepare, so many needs, create the perfect space
How to fit it all in, create the ideal schedule, communicate, cut, laminate, plan....
Deep breaths Derrica.
Here you are.

Like those deep breaths I'm able to take in, I hear this quiet reminder
You have been given this job, I have called you here.
Here you are.
Twenty plus kids will soon enter this room entrusted to my care.
180 days to serve, love and equip.
Advocating and protecting, hugging and challenging
A job now much more than just educating.
Here I am.

I've put you here for a reason
I've handpicked these kids to walk through your door 
I've prepared you for the hardest day
And will celebrate with you on your best.
I will equip you along the way when you feel unprepared
I will never leave you on your own.
Just trust Me, love these little ones like crazy
And breathe.
I am with you in your classroom.
Here I am.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sometimes, we aren't okay.

*******I am writing from my own personal perspective.  I do not claim to be representing all teachers during this time. We all have had different experiences navigating education during a global pandemic. Some are struggling through far worse and some have been impacted very little.  As always, I write for my own processing and with hope of being an encouragement to someone else to keep fighting the good fight.   Be honest with yourself and others. Teaching is a different kind of hard right now.  It's okay if you're not okay.********* I have had this experience lately that has really started to bother me.  I am usually out walking or at the store getting groceries and I run into someone I haven't seen much since school has started.  They see me and immediately ask, "How are you? How's school?"  Their care and concern is obvious, as is the sweet kindness they are showing, knowing full well school must be a little different right now.  Their questio...
5 comments
Read more

Well done.

There are so many thoughts I have as this school year comes to an end and I have been praying about the right words for all the feels, the frustrations, the relief, the continued anxiety, the pure exhaustion. So in honor of teacher appreciation week—here’s a short letter to all my fellow teachers that have persevered through an unprecedented time in education. ———————————— Dearest Teacher, Spray and wipe, wipe and spray. Stop for just a second. If I could be with you in person to say this, I would grab your worn hands and look you right in your tired eyes.  You have made it. You made it. There were days you were fully convinced you were not cut out for what would lie ahead in the 2020-2021 school year, but you actually made it. The school year is almost ready to tie up into a nice little bow and you will actually be able to say: It is finished.  If no one has told you lately—-I am SO freakin proud of YOU. Sincerely. You showed up each day whether in person, online, both or fli...
Post a Comment
Read more

Defying gravity.

“Where I come from, everyone knows the best way to bring folks together is to give them a common enemy.”—Oz, Wicked the musical   Public education is slowly becoming the common enemy and it is suffocating.  If this seems far fetched from your understanding and perspective, make time to share a space with your friends in education. How are they feeling right now?  Since social media allows us to feel like we can have a personal connection with someone, here is what I would share over a cup coffee if we could be face to face. As someone who has committed over 18 years serving children and families in my wonderful community in a public school, I can assure you. Public schools are not the enemy. Should everyone have the choice how they would like to educate their own children? Of course. That is something I believe with all my heart.  School choice is not the enemy of the public school. Those spreading false information and hate toward public schools are creating a...
Post a Comment
Read more