Seven Reasons Why We Are Educators: Reason 1- Relationships (265)

 Seven Reasons Why: Reason One

As teachers we have a lot on our plates and these plates are not stationary. They are spinning in the air- sometimes six or seven at a time. Most days it feels like they are also swarming around us, the dull hum of porcelain ringing in our ears. It is an unexpected, unannounced, unsettling time for everyone, but for educators it is often unrewarding, or at least it can feel like that on occasion.

What is rewarding? I suppose it depends on the educator you talk to. No one would say financial reward. No one would say accolades or reverie. Some might say summers off, weekends free. But even those people bring home grading and lesson planning. Even those people go to conferences and professional learning courses over the summer. So, what is it that keeps teachers coming back- even during a time when many are walking away?

Relationships. There are so many relationships that bring educators joy: peer, student, team. Each a unique tether to the world of education. Each requiring energy. And, we are human, and thus we do not have an endless supply of energy. Some relationships can become strained, while others flourish. Yet, we wake up every morning and go into our virtual or face to face classrooms and give it our all. Returning home at night, exhausted and somewhat satisfied.

There is a heaviness. A thick layer of misjudgment about what we do. We are not considered essential in some respects. We are often thought of as babysitters or judged by the ridiculous saying, I so often hear, “those who can’t do, teach.” But as educators we know the truth and this truth is very personal. So, having like-minded educators in the social media world to connect with means so much. Having a supportive team in your building, keeps us motivated and focused.

But, above all else, the relationships we build with our students is the glue, the sticky sinew of connection that makes it all worth it. Class sizes are huge, some faces are only visible on a screen, while the rest are behind a mask. The smiles might be hidden, the tone and physicality is our expression now. Our voices strained from projecting through cloth is raspy- but our reward, is seeing all of our students interact.

This week I started my one-minute check-in’s. My face to face kids sat six feet away, but we both leaned in. We connected. We built a level of trust that will continue to build this year. My virtual students and I met in breakout rooms on Zoom. We talked life, learning, adjustment. It is so fascinating to hear their perspective. 

It is not something you can get from casual conversation. Look them in the eye and direct 100% of your attention on them for at least 1 minute a week- trust me it is the reason why, the reason why I believe, that educators are the anchor in students lives and we need to hold on tight, because when we do- they will traverse even the most turbulent currents to meet us there.