Fun or No Fun?

 January is here and I'm feeling all the feels.  Time with family over break was amazing, and we actually took some time to just relax.  It was much needed.  It is crazy how things happen in our lives that we aren't expecting, or that we need, but don't know we need.

Daily, I want to get off social media.  I try hard to stay away from those that complain nonstop.  I haven't left yet because I love seeing the highlights of the things I've posted in the past including great memories from my personal and professional life with my family and friends and colleagues.

Early this week, I got a text from a former colleague, who was an amazing teacher.  I encourage her every time I correspond with her to get back into it when she's ready.  She's top tier.  And because she is who she is, I take what she says very seriously.  She was disappointed about the way her child's school welcomed kids back after the winter break.  No energy, no hoopla, no fun.  Coming back in January is hard after that long break, and as she pointed out, kids are dragging.  Why should the parents and kids see that the teachers and school staff are also dragging?  Why would anyone want to walk in the doors if that is what they observed?

Lucky for my friend, I told her, don't worry.  Our school is doing it differently (which we had already planned).  Last year we started a new tradition.  On the first day back in January, we greet students from cars and buses in larger than life inflatable costumes!  This year we added pom poms for those not in costumes.  Its not perfect, but its definitely fun!  Our kids smiled, laughed and looked a little confused.  

Why do we do it?  Because why not?  The world is negative and the fun is being sucked out.  Let's all find ways to share the positive, promote the fun and spread a smile.  As the week wound down and I was in my sweats shopping with the family, we ran into another former colleague.  I haven't seen her in a long time and I was so excited.  I think I went for the hug before I finished saying hi.  After we talked and caught up for a few minutes, she reminded me about something I cannot forget.  She said, "don't stop posting about the great things you are doing, we need to see it."

Remember This...

As we return from Spring Break and begin the final stretch of the school year, there are several things to keep in mind.  We have about 9 weeks to teach the standards for each grade level that remain to be taught.  State testing is coming up quickly for upper grades.  End of year tests will be administered in all grades.  Teachers in several grades have trips planned to enhance their educational experiences.  We'll have to remind students of rules, procedures and expectations because they'll start to feel the summer itch.  With all of this in mind, there is something more important that we must remember in all schools.

When the school year ends, most students won't think about their favorite test or the week that they were stressed because of several assignments being due.  They will remember the friends they made, the staff members they liked and the memories they made.

As we were dismissing on the Friday before Spring Break, students were exiting the building as their buses were called.  We (admin team) often stand at the front door telling kids to have a great weekend and we share smiles and high fives as they exit the building for their bus.  On this particular day, I had remembered to say goodbye to the first grade student who was moving away over break.  His class had a rough week, knowing this transition was coming up for him and since he has been such a positive influence in his classroom since he started this year.

I had forgotten to say goodbye to the fourth grade student who was transferring to another school after break.  As kids rushed by, excited to start their break, I noticed the fourth grader had just passed me.  His head was down.  I quickly called his name.  He turned and walked back to me.  He was crying and it broke my heart.  I gave him and hug and told him we'll miss him so much.  I also told him he'll do great and to keep being amazing.

At that second, I remembered.  The relationships matter.  They matter so much more than anything else.  He didn't want to leave.  This is the important work we do each day.  As we prep to sprint toward the end of year finish line, don't ever forget that the time you invest in kids matters.  Show them you believe in them, show them you care for them, show them they belong.  You decide how kids walk out of the building and this one instance shows me that we're doing great things.

Eve of Excitement

It's the eve of excitement!  Or what others call, the night before the last day, before spring break.  Kids are amped, teachers are hanging on tight and everyone is ready for a break.  Well, why not break out the Woot Woot wagon on this special day!

Periodically throughout the year, we bring out the wagon (not really a wagon).  We stock it with cold drinks and fun snacks, and lots of chocolate.  This year, we even decorated it to "fancy" it up!  We find some great music that everyone wants to dance to, and we're off!

We roll through the halls, dance at teacher's doors and excitedly keep knocking until someone opens the door!  By now, staff, and kids for that matter, know exactly what is happening when they hear the music.  "Snacks for adults!," I yell.  Kids groan.  They say no fair.  But they are laughing and dancing at the same time.

Today, our D.A.R.E. officer was at school and he had not ever experienced the Woot Woot before.  "This is awesome!," he yelled.  

As we finished rolling through the halls, and increasing the smile's on the faces of each adult, we had one more stop.  We rolled that cart outside, through the kids and kids lining up for dismissal, right to the buses.  Several had already lined up, and several more started pulling in.  Our amazing staff rolled the cart to each bus, fighting the wind, that was ripping the roof off our cart!  The drivers and aides each selected a snack and drink of their choice.

I try to always wave goodbye to the bus drivers each day, but today, I got the biggest, most excited waves of the year.

Today marks the eve of excitement, but the little things still go far.  Focus on the details and build a culture that celebrates the work of everyone, kids and adults.

It Is More Than What You See

 In day to day school life, we can't predict what is going to happen.  We all have our jobs and responsibilities each day, and a plan to execute our to-do list as best we can.  Along with our duties, there are the parts of each day we look forward to, as well.  I enjoy my time interacting with students during lunch periods.  Kids are relaxed while they eat and they often want to tell you a story, share their latest club idea, or challenge you to another arm wrestling match.

On a regular, normal day, we had an emergency this year.  As a school team, we came together to help a child.  Later, after time had passed, I was in the cafeteria with another grade level.  A teacher came to me, with three crying students.  They were concerned about the student that had the emergency, their friend.  I assured the students that their friend was going to be okay.  They wiped their tears and went back to class.

In the afternoon, I encountered several more students that were upset.  I talked briefly with each of them to try to console them, as their teacher had also done.  They were so worried and upset about their friend, who had the emergency.

I had never seen the level of concern from kids about a classmate as I did that day.  Their love for their friend was amazing.  This made me think hard about the work we do in schools.  We devote time to developing relationships with kids and building classrooms that are safe for all kids.  We teach kids to be kind and we hope that they will love each other and show compassion.  On this day, I was moved by the love the students showed for their friend.  Truly amazing.

In addition to the lunchroom emergency that day, we had a playground emergency, only a few weeks before.  Again, our team jumped in and reacted to a unpredictable situation without skipping a beat.  This situation required an ambulance ride for the student and myself, for precautionary measures.

Fast forward two months.  At the end of a parent meeting, the mom said, there's just one more thing.  I welcomed any further conversation.  The mom proceeded to tell me that she was waiting in the car pick up line during our recess emergency that day.  She added that she always likes to get in the line early, to secure a front spot, lol.  The mom went on to tell me how scared she was for the student, when she watched everything unfold and the ambulance arrive, a few months before.  Then she paused.  She said something I will never forget. "I realized I was crying, because I knew the child must have been scared.  But I also wouldn't want any other person watching over my child than you."

Every job probably has parts you don't see.  But in education, there are so many parts that we pour our hearts into, that no one sees.  Thank you to all of my educator friends for pouring your hearts into kids, even when people aren't looking.  You DO make a difference.

What are you trying to tell me?

I am not going to lie.  There are days, so many days, that I wonder about my professional future.  How long can I keep doing what I am doing?  What other jobs are out there for me?  Maybe it is time to do something else.  Am I even making an impact, like I felt like I once was?  

Then these little, subtle reminders keep popping up.

Two months ago at church.  There are a few families that attend the same church as my family.  There are multiple services offered, but often, we see a kid I have had in school or someone in their immediate family.  On this specific day, we were walking through church at the end of the service and a student and myself made eye contact.  He gave me this little smile, from his stoic, church face.  A connection was shared.

A month ago at a drive thru.  We have a few fast food restaurants in town.  On this certain night, I pulled up to the first window, after placing my order.  The young man working the register window looked up at me to collect payment, then he quickly looked down.  I watched him, and a grin came across his face.  He looked back up and told me the total.  I gave him my card and said, thanks (his name).  His smile grew from ear to ear.

This week at a sandwich shop.  As I was approaching the door, I could see a young kid bouncing from foot to foot near a table in the front of the shop, but she was looking straight at me through the door.  I opened the door, she froze.  Then she ran up to me and gave me a huge hug.  Her mom was laughing at the table next to where we were standing.  The child was a student of mine last year, before I moved to another building.  I asked about her teacher, her hair highlights and life.  She was so excited!  I told her she better go eat, and she went to sit down.

I took one step closer to the counter to order and the cashier had a smile on his face.  I thought, he's just wondering when I will finally order after my chat with the former student.  I order sandwiches for the family and then he smiles and says, do you remember me?  I knew it.  Another former student.  I said, "you look familiar, but I can't remember your name." (which kills me!)  He told me his name and I immediately remembered his last name.  I told him, "your last name starts with a W, but I'll say it wrong, how do you say it?"  Like the worker at the drive thru, this young man's face lit up.

As hard as each day is, and as much as I (we) get bogged down in everything that isn't kids, these moments are unforgettable.  I had to write about them, so I don't forget them.  I'm not sure what someone is trying to tell me, but I do know that these interactions with kids are constant reminders that I have to push through hard days.  For them.