Teacher's Don't Have the Option (183)

As teachers we have some options. Our classrooms offer us some choice in how we teach. Our voice is our own. We get a little freedom in our domain- we can be ourselves and because of this- most of us love our job. But, sometimes a few of our options dissolve. We saw this last spring.

We don't have the choice to problem blind, not take ownership, or to tunnel. We have to accept our role and embrace it. It might not be an issue we created, but we are working within the confines of it. We became educators to make a difference. We stayed teachers because our optimism propels us, to make small changes, that eventually will bring about transformation.

We see the problem, we frame it, lock our focus on it and plan accordingly. We might not be able to convince everyone of our outlook, or our strategies- yet we try. We share, we try to inspire. We see the problems and rather than pass the buck- we take ownership of it. We do not have the luxury of saying or believing "it is not my problem to fix."

We have our safety huddles. We know what worked and what didn't yesterday. We know today's priorities. We listen, we shuffle, we pivot. We observe. We notice. We formulate a plan on the fly. When we are thrust into a situation, unexpected- we do not hide behind the curtain, waiting for the Great Oz, to speak. Instead, we pull them back and reveal our tools and share our knowledge.

Teachers do not have the option to look only at test scores. Or, at a file full of the past and current information. We rely on observation and the ever growing relationship, we build with every student.

Instead we have two options, merged: focus on the whole child by building personal relationships with students and find strategies that are flexible and malleable to every students' needs. We do both of these, continually, every day. We do not go home at night, and not think of how we can create more, engaging lessons and activities. We never stop thinking like an educator. This is our superpower.

Now that we are in uncertainty- full school, hybrid, or full distance learning- we don't have the option, to not be planning and thinking about next year. We are home-bound, on summer vacation, spending time with family- yet the underlining song playing in our heads- what will next year look like? How can I make sure I am ready, for any of the three options, our districts have to choose from?

So we are reading, listening, sharing, attending and taking in so much new information. We are strategizing, learning new tools and planning our lessons for both digital and in class formatting. I have already started, and will be sharing my strategies over the next few weeks. I hope you will find some of them useful.

For now, I hope you are taking some time to relax and enjoy your summer.