From the sidelines.

With a tight grip on the bench, I watch

The same bench I melted into this spring,

Now warm beneath my sitting.

It is time. Time to get back in.

Forcing my feet to stand

I am not without thanks.

Exhaustion renewed by summer months spent

Sidelined.

Deep breaths and joy for the hope of a fresh start

But belly breathing not sufficient to settle the nerves

Nerves that make my walking back from the sideline

More like marathon legs being told to follow one after another.

I don't love this game.

This tournament of sorts we've been playing for a few years now

One game after another

Ever changing opponents threatening a loss of some kind.

Heartbreaking loss.

Unfair calls and mid game rule change.

Very few substitutions.

But here we go.

It's game time.

Little faces are watching from the bleachers.

Cheering on their favorites,

The underdogs.

Eyes peeled.

Watching for role models of resilience, strength and character.

Our cheerleaders, part of this team.

Bless their little hearts.

Completely unaware of the giants we are facing.

The critics and the doubters.

The comments read and questions said.

Unashamed---our cheerleaders cheer the loudest.

So elbow locked in elbow,

Strength in that unbroken chain of people.

We walk back into the action.

I sure don't love this game.

But I sure love this team.

Comments

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...

Dearest Teacher...You are sure great.

(If I could be with you face to face, I would grab you by the shoulders and speak these words.) Dearest Teacher............ You are sure great. The work you are doing is valuable and immeasurably good. When the questions came and the doubts were cast, You kept going. With a mask or without a mask, You have showed up for your students. Online or in person, You were prepared and poured out excitement for learning Whether you felt it or not. Years have passed. So many days, so many challenges. Criticism and encouragement, And you are exhausted. Covering more classes and dodging sickness. Encouraging words, I know fall short. More self care or a hot bath, Is not the solution nor will sustain you to keep going. Even the "just do it for the kids" feels like a another pour From an empty cup. Do you wonder if your cup has a bottom Or are you drowning in the positivity you hear. You are sure great. Just words. But I'm going to keep speaking their truth-- You are sure grea...

Dear Politicians,

You don't know me, but I am but one in the great army of teachers that wake up each morning ready to take on the challenges that face our public schools today. You don't see me, but I arrive at school early to make sure I have everything in place so that not a minute of precious learning time is wasted with these dear little ones. However, my morning of planning is often interrupted by an ever-swinging door. The door swings open several times every few minutes to former students stopping by to share their latest successes, to show me their new kicks, or to just grab a hug before the day begins. Every once in awhile the door swings opens to a parent wanting to discuss his/her child's progress or a concern that needs my attention. The door also swings open to my colleagues, just checking in to remind me of a deadline or to ask a question about our new curriculum or assessments. And....then my teaching day officially begins. As I prop open that ever swinging door, the real ...

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