This year is tough, but so are we. I was energized and excited coming into a new school year just as I always am. For me, the first day of school is kind of like Christmas morning (excitement-level-wise). It is hard to sleep the night before welcoming back teachers and students! There is so much “newness” and hope that comes with the first day of school. However, I quickly saw that this year was going to bring more challenges than any school year I have experienced before.
It took one of my best friends to point out to me that she suspects this year is especially challenging for me because I am a problem solver by nature. It is true! I believe there is a solution to every problem, no matter what it is. Oftentimes, I won’t stop thinking about these solutions until I find the right one.
(Enter the 2021-2022 school year.)
To be frank. There are a lot of problems, and I do not have the solutions for all of them…yet. But, I am still trying to find them and I am showing up each day giving my best. I still have hope for this new school year. I find it each day in my colleagues and especially in the students we serve. I know we will face each challenge TOGETHER and we are more prepared for those challenges than we have ever been.
It is important to note that I believe everyone is doing their best right now. There is not an easy job in a school system any day and especially not during a pandemic. The challenges we are facing are simply circumstantial, not the fault of any individual or organization. (You may disagree with this belief, but I err on the side of optimism.)
Here are 10 pearls of wisdom to take with you as you learn to navigate this challenging, yet new and exciting school year:
- Showing up is important.
- Give the best of you – especially to your students. Your best might be different every day and that is OK.
- Lean on your co-workers. Share ideas of what is working and what is not. Take every opportunity that you have to connect with them.
- PRIORITIZE. Think Maslow before Bloom.
- Know that it will get better and it will get easier.
- BE KIND. Everyone is feeling stress in more ways than one. We are all handling these stresses differently.
- Work smarter, not harder. If you are dealing with waves of students coming in and out of your classroom, work with your instructional coach or administrators to come up with a plan that works for you and your students.
- Do not let this year burn you out. You have the most important job in the world and we need you now and in the future.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Hold onto the positives. Hint: you’ll most likely find them in classrooms with students.
Best wishes on this new school year. We still have the opportunity to make it the best one yet!
