We finished dinner two hours ago but I had not one ounce of motivation to clear the table completely and wash the dishes. I could see them right there...RIGHT THERE. Yet, I couldn't bear to jump in and do what needed to be done. Reluctantly, I get up, clear the table and wash the dishes exactly like I've done so many times before. I realize, in completing the task, it wasn't nearly as big of a chore as it felt like this evening.
I'm spending some time trying to catch up on emails and also completing some paperwork that is due. I check my to do list while I work and realize there is more to add for each cross off I am able to perform. A quick glance, and it looks insurmountable.
I push my chair back from my desk and think about the last email I've read from an amazing teacher. She's concerned about a recent decision. Between the lines, I sense she is upset. I worry she feels unsupported or worse yet, that the new task coming her way is insurmountable.
I talk out loud to her from my computer screen. I talk to her as if she is sitting right next to me. I quickly mumble, "You know you've got this. You can do this.". I think back to all of the other times this year, she has met the needs of her students however she had to. I think back to the smiles she always has had for her students. I think back to how many times she has demonstrated how big her heart is. I worry she's not pulling from the same memories I am. What she did in the beginning of the year to reach her kids is exactly what her students still need from her today. She has a certain kind of magic. I've seen it. I know it. I've felt it. I worry she's losing her belief in the wizardry of her craft.
This time of year can feel overwhelming for a variety of reasons. We all juggle personal and professional demands all at the same time and it can easily become unbalanced. I think, sometimes, our professional demands become unbalanced because of how close the end of the school year feels.
We see the finish line.
We begin to worry about a myriad of things.
Will this student be ok?
Have I been as successful with him/her as I had hoped?
How will I do my best to finish strong as a teacher/leader with a heart still just as full of hope, forgiveness and optimism for the school year as big as it was in September?
Have I done a good job?
It's in these moments, we ought to look back on an entire year and gauge how far we have come. We need not judge one recent bad day or days and let that encapsulate how to feel about our entire body of work this year. Frankly, it's not fair or even accurate.
We've got better memories from our work throughout the year then just a few tough days. Push yourself to finish strong and pull from all of the good you've done. Lean on each other and cheer each other up when you need it. It's not just about how we start a year. It's about how we finish too.
Hold onto HOPE...in your students, each other and yourselves.
I'm spending some time trying to catch up on emails and also completing some paperwork that is due. I check my to do list while I work and realize there is more to add for each cross off I am able to perform. A quick glance, and it looks insurmountable.
I push my chair back from my desk and think about the last email I've read from an amazing teacher. She's concerned about a recent decision. Between the lines, I sense she is upset. I worry she feels unsupported or worse yet, that the new task coming her way is insurmountable.
I talk out loud to her from my computer screen. I talk to her as if she is sitting right next to me. I quickly mumble, "You know you've got this. You can do this.". I think back to all of the other times this year, she has met the needs of her students however she had to. I think back to the smiles she always has had for her students. I think back to how many times she has demonstrated how big her heart is. I worry she's not pulling from the same memories I am. What she did in the beginning of the year to reach her kids is exactly what her students still need from her today. She has a certain kind of magic. I've seen it. I know it. I've felt it. I worry she's losing her belief in the wizardry of her craft.
This time of year can feel overwhelming for a variety of reasons. We all juggle personal and professional demands all at the same time and it can easily become unbalanced. I think, sometimes, our professional demands become unbalanced because of how close the end of the school year feels.
We see the finish line.
We begin to worry about a myriad of things.
Will this student be ok?
Have I been as successful with him/her as I had hoped?
How will I do my best to finish strong as a teacher/leader with a heart still just as full of hope, forgiveness and optimism for the school year as big as it was in September?
Have I done a good job?
It's in these moments, we ought to look back on an entire year and gauge how far we have come. We need not judge one recent bad day or days and let that encapsulate how to feel about our entire body of work this year. Frankly, it's not fair or even accurate.
We've got better memories from our work throughout the year then just a few tough days. Push yourself to finish strong and pull from all of the good you've done. Lean on each other and cheer each other up when you need it. It's not just about how we start a year. It's about how we finish too.
Hold onto HOPE...in your students, each other and yourselves.
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