The Magical Classroom Portal

There is a gateway one crosses through as the bell rings. A threshold where the hallway jibber jab becomes more academically focused. As I stand at the precipice- I shake hands with a few weary travelers, and smile huge from behind a mask- eyes lighting up to make sure my intentions are clear. It is a strange dichotomy- teacher stance and teacher personality. You have to have this aura of control yet approachability. 

The magic portal invites students in- desks arranged into a friendly vibe. Minimal, yet colorful interior. Inviting and personal, yet organized and disciplined. The perfect semblance of give and take. The balance of learner and educator. This energy is accumulated over many years of teaching. At first I struggled with knowing how to corral and set free. But with experience came trust and confidence. These days it is a different feel virtually than face to face.

Another dichotomy. Another type of balance. The portal is alluring and most students eagerly approach and dive in. We offer entry- but they must choose to have their ticket stamped. They must choose which rides to approach. Which gift shops to spend their currency in. This portal it leads to amusement parks and thrill rides, carnivals and yes, sometimes haunted houses with mystery and scary ghosts. But as the conductors of these- we can lessen the anxiety and up the magic.

These last few months have been a whirlwind- spinning tea cup rides and steep drops. We have all felt a little dizzy and discombobulated. But we kept entering the lines, we kept getting on the ride and buckling up. Some of us have been in a classroom since September, some are just entering now. Either way- the portals are there, opening minds, creating safe places for our students to investigate and thrive.

I for one have enjoyed teaching three classes virtually and 3 classes in person- it has been challenging but the experience has made me a better teacher. It has allowed me to see my lessons in different formats and different approaches. It has made me think about things differently. I greet with a smile and a virtual hand-shake. I look them in the eyes and welcome them to the classroom magical portal. 

The gateway might look differently - it might be pixelated rather than real world imaged- but the portal is expectation. It is feeling safe. It is wanting to learn. It is being given choice. It is being allowed to struggle a bit- then asking questions and building confidence. It is strange the world of dichotomy- virtual vs. face to face. Students moving from one to the other every six weeks even more so.

But this portal is flexible. Expansive. Accepting. Enter. Brace for change. Then create the magic that opens up more portals. Classrooms are flexible and inviting- this is portal life. This is the life of an educator.