Magic to Make the Sanest Person Go Mad

Light and shadows

Light and shadows, trickery, mysticism. These words are rarely used to describe teaching, yet the image of a great educator is often shrouded in them. If time has been spent in a classroom, from either resident or visitor it is obvious, that with every combination of students, within every content area and above all visible in every relationship there are peaks and valleys. When we step upon the precipice, the views are spectacular but often terrifying. When we descend into the valleys, we are protected from the view of others, all the while being shadowed. It is when we walk on level ground that the long bright dark, becomes an expanse of momentary brilliance and ongoing growth. Where trickery becomes magic in the pure sense of the word. No longer is it silhouettes but well-lit, exposed learning for all to see.

Our classrooms verdant with layers of growth, are often pared down to estimations and expectations. Educators are truly saints, heroes and cavaliers. We are saints of imperfection, however, not because we do no challenge ourselves, push ourselves and climb the mountain of judgement every day, but because there are far too many obstacles for us to master with precision. We stumble, we rise. We listen and we take action. Every day a solid footing is not expected, motionless ground is not preferred. Because, with fluctuation comes an unfixed mindset. Education inhabits turbulent, agitated terrain. Every face a new situation, every outside tremor, filling the gaps with assumption, speculation and surmise.  But also, with enlightenment and awareness comes curiosity.

Extinguished

As educators we get frustrated, we dig in deep with our opinions of what makes a great educator. The powers that be often get to decide what scores and data define a successful classroom. All the while, never having set foot in their domain. Never taking the time to sit quietly and watch. Educators have a voice, a personality, a passion that is unique. There are controversial topics: homework, standardized testing, class sizes, teacher pay, just to name a few. These issues unite as much as they divide. They can bring out the wolf in us, despite ourselves. Whether a first year teacher or a veteran, we each have a stance, a position in which our values and goals hold firm. We see the war within, the war without, the war to come. We witness the spoils of war, as they trickle near us or just out of reach and we feel frustrated with our lack of power.

Form and void. This is where most educators live. Many have decided to fight injustice not with words alone, but with action. Many speak out, refuse to fake it till they make it. They choose not to be another hero, because superheroes often swoop in to save the day- they do not embed themselves in daily life and no matter the hour or day, stick around to make sure the best laid plans are coming to fruition. Unless you are Spiderman of course.There are many different types of educators, those who take the hero approach, or the daily-routine approach, and those that clock in and out with specific repetition or those that will stay dusk to dawn, if even one child knocks on the door. No matter the approach, every educator has the same mission: student growth and success. It is not our only job to guide and inspire our students, it is also our responsibility to guide and inspire one another.

Magic Illuminated

It is time to take down the fun-house mirrors that distract from our mission. It is time to silence judgement and stay open to all points of view, because there are far too many obstacles, for any of us to solve, with absolute precision. Every one of us sees the world through our own experiences. We do not just wake up in the morning and push play. We adjust the brightness and color, as we live our lives. We hear words, read expressions, see images and make our own decisions. This is what makes education a great thing. There are gaps. There are huge chasms where ignorance and ambition, hide dedication and passion. Where judgment of individuality stunts innovation. The only people who can curb lack of empathy, nudge the gap to closure is educators. Those of us literally in the trenches every day, experiencing the fluctuations, tremors and liquefaction of the field of education.

“The butchers knife cares not for the lambs cry,” the saying goes. But, in education this couldn’t be farther from the truth. What we read in the papers is often context for kings or rulers, of the way we are supposed to do things. However, it is the cavalry, the minutemen, the soldiers of advancement- educators that truly own the sounds of growth and evolution. Sometimes our voices are overpowered by bureaucracy, others they are muted by the day to day rituals of teaching, we simply do not have time to shout out in protest. So, we get on social media and we get on the defensive, we attack our fellow educators, because again we are frustrated, exhausted and need to vent.

The Spark of Transformation

We are torchbearers of the labyrinth. We need to light the dungeon path so that every educator can climb up from its depths. We must take the magic to make even the sanest person go mad and turn it into a prologue. What’s past is a prologue. What’s future is based on unity and mindfulness. Let’s begin today- let’s lift each other up, because that is what makes education the greatest profession on Earth. We know its faults, but let’s focus on the fortitude and tenacity of its residents. Every local has a purpose, every inhabitant a cause. Whether a native or expat, immigrant or citizen – every educator needs to be heard. Growth comes with challenge so let’s continue to challenge with respect and honor. Let’s make education the envy of those everywhere who doubt our dedication and determination. Let’s become the model for camaraderie and collaboration. Let’s be not superheroes but super-residents, inhabiting the beauty of the educational landscape every day.