I'm not that teacher...

Who is excited for the Holiday Break?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

I absolutely love this time of year.    Seeing the excitement in the eyes of my own children.
Going for "scenic drives" home to admire the decorations of those in our neighborhood.   Making fun crafts.  Doing the advent calendar and devotions.   Preparing for our Wigilia meal.   All that good stuff.

But you see, not everyone looks forward to Christmas.

I'm not one to put a countdown to anything on my board/walls at school. 

I just don't get it. 

Years ago, I had a student with a TERRIBLE home life.   The thought of being off for any amount of time was not a happy thought.   School was a sanctuary for this student.  School was a time for THEM.   School was a place of PEACE.   

So my fellow educators... be careful about what you count down to... not everyone will be going into this Holiday break with sparkles and smiles.   

#justsayin

When you cry on a Monday...

Let's face it.

It happens.

Teachers are human.   And sometimes tears are shed.

Tears of frustration.

Tears of anxiety.

Tears of ... well... anything.

Today.... it was tears of JOY.

Seriously, I came into work this morning to this:

Because you see.....  I have beliefs.  

I truly believe that before learning takes place a student must feel two things.   First of all, they must feel safe.   Secondly, they must feel valued.   If either of these things are lacking, you're in for an uphill battle.

I truly believe that we as teachers hold a significant amount of power.   

I'm not talking about classroom management.

I'm talking about the power to take an "I can't" mindset away from a student and turn it to an "I can."

I'm talking about the power to take a negative attitude and turn it to a confident attitude.

I'm talking about taking a back row, hide my face so the teacher can't see me student and turning them into a LEADER.

We have that power ya'll.   

It all starts with relationships.     Then curriculum can come in.