Friends,
Quarantine has given me quiet time to reflect. Sometimes my heart is heavy for the way the world hurts and sometimes my heart is strong enough to hope for healing. Today I was content with hope and wanted to share that with you.
It’s mid summer. This means that school communities everywhere are considering how to safely return to classroom teaching. These conversations can be overwhelming especially if you teach in a large school setting. It’s normal to be apprehensive. Honestly, the news coverage of the pandemic leaves little room for anything other than fear.
As I begin to prepare for what the new year will bring I couldn’t help but to think back to this time last year. I was a first year teacher who also copes with cerebral palsy. This meant that I was extremely grateful that someone had given the chance to teach nonetheless; this gratitude was matched with tremendous apprehension.
The summer left me time to remember what situations I had already encountered as I worked with students in various settings. Some of those experiences triggered the worst of “what if” scenarios. I refused to face my fear alone and sent my team an e-mail of concerns and how students would know about my worries. The team knew before they met me what I feared. The response was pointed and powerful: We are glad you’re here. Looking forward to an exciting year!
The first day of school came quickly. I chatted with students about why I thought they should know about my disability. I emphasized that most of what I said was to keep us safe. I had spent months worried about what might happen I also know it’s not uncommon for students to respond to difference later or in varied ways. So it still shocks me that not a single student mocked, or challenged my needs--Ever. I am grateful for them and proud of them!
There’s so much to be said about this story. It proves that we underestimate the ability of young people to adapt. I’m not overly worried about pandemic teaching because my students experienced a new normal the moment they entered my classroom.
So as you worry about experiencing normal let my students be the reason you believe your students will eventually lean into their leadership. Be honest. Trust that they listen. Bravery looks different for everyone. Remind students of this early and often. Then, agree to be brave together! I promise that it’ll turn out better than any scenario you could ever imagine! The way that students accepted normal was impressive. It’s the reason why I’m more hopeful than afraid!
Quarantine has given me quiet time to reflect. Sometimes my heart is heavy for the way the world hurts and sometimes my heart is strong enough to hope for healing. Today I was content with hope and wanted to share that with you.
It’s mid summer. This means that school communities everywhere are considering how to safely return to classroom teaching. These conversations can be overwhelming especially if you teach in a large school setting. It’s normal to be apprehensive. Honestly, the news coverage of the pandemic leaves little room for anything other than fear.
As I begin to prepare for what the new year will bring I couldn’t help but to think back to this time last year. I was a first year teacher who also copes with cerebral palsy. This meant that I was extremely grateful that someone had given the chance to teach nonetheless; this gratitude was matched with tremendous apprehension.
The summer left me time to remember what situations I had already encountered as I worked with students in various settings. Some of those experiences triggered the worst of “what if” scenarios. I refused to face my fear alone and sent my team an e-mail of concerns and how students would know about my worries. The team knew before they met me what I feared. The response was pointed and powerful: We are glad you’re here. Looking forward to an exciting year!
The first day of school came quickly. I chatted with students about why I thought they should know about my disability. I emphasized that most of what I said was to keep us safe. I had spent months worried about what might happen I also know it’s not uncommon for students to respond to difference later or in varied ways. So it still shocks me that not a single student mocked, or challenged my needs--Ever. I am grateful for them and proud of them!
There’s so much to be said about this story. It proves that we underestimate the ability of young people to adapt. I’m not overly worried about pandemic teaching because my students experienced a new normal the moment they entered my classroom.
So as you worry about experiencing normal let my students be the reason you believe your students will eventually lean into their leadership. Be honest. Trust that they listen. Bravery looks different for everyone. Remind students of this early and often. Then, agree to be brave together! I promise that it’ll turn out better than any scenario you could ever imagine! The way that students accepted normal was impressive. It’s the reason why I’m more hopeful than afraid!
Joyfully,
Teacher Julie
