Seven Reasons Why We Are Educators: Reason 7- Why We go to Work Most Days Optimistic, Even in a Pandemic (271)

The pandemic let us be honest sucks. It sucks in every way imaginable. One of my students yesterday said “Mrs. CJ, can I tell you something?” I said yes of course, “Covid sucks. I mean it really sucks.” I replied, “I agree.”

There is not a teacher on the planet that is not feeling overwhelmed. Some teachers are teaching entirely virtually. Some are all face to face. While many are a combination of the two. I have three face to face classes and three virtual classes. It is a lot. Not to mention technology issues, attendance issues, and engagement issues of those who are not in my classroom.

We are inundated with messages and emails. Paperwork and phone calls. We are in the building, most of us. We are worried about getting sick, teaching from behind a mask or face shield- muffled and distant. Students faces are hidden so we cannot see looks of confusion. We have to ask them. We have to take the time to speak with every one of them personally. How can we help them from behind a mask? How do we know? Instinct.

We have to really pay attention. We have to create more tutorials, more remediation. More fluidity. With our classes shifting: with new students returning to face to face and others entering virtual learning. We feel at a loss. We feel like we do not have enough time to build the relationships we so long for. We barely have time to get to know them before they are removed from our classes.

Monday starts another first day of school for 273 students who are re-entering the building after weeks of virtual learning. My classes have all been reshaped, shifted. Some larger, some smaller. I lost many students and gained more. I feel a loss already and it has only been six weeks. I cannot imagine what it will be like next six weeks when this happens all over again.

I know every teacher is feeling this disconnect. This absence. So why do most of us still wake up every morning and re-enter our classrooms full of hope and optimism? Why do we not end up like those 80’s stereotypical teachers we see in the movies? I think it is for a several reasons: 7 reasons actually, hence the title of my rapid-fire blog posts:

1.     We as educators look for the positive to outweigh the negative. We like a challenge. We appreciate the struggle we see our students go through every day and we know we are a voice of hope and grace for them.
2.     We are seekers of truth and the truth is- we are important, we are valued by our students and that is what matters most.
3.     We know that every day is a new opportunity to make a difference. To be that one voice that inspires.
4.     We are used to pivoting and adjusting on a dime. Yes, a dime. We adjusted, we are here, and we are making a difference.
5.      It is in our blood, education, we breathe it, it pumps through our bodies like iron. Making us stronger and resilient every day.
6.      We collaborate and share, we listen and learn constantly. Picking up ideas and strategies everywhere we look and honestly- we cannot ignore the opportunity to try them out.
7.      I think ultimately, we are performers and we need our stage. We do not necessarily  need the spotlight on us at all times, but we love the thrill that an audience gives- its an energy like no other.

      We are a profession built around growth. Built around problem-solving. Built around compassion and gift giving. We want to make sure that students get what they need, that they have a voice, that they feel safe. We go to work every day optimistic, even in a time of a pandemic because we are educators and we can see the future unfolding right before our eyes, and its marvelous.