I woke up Monday morning to an email with news that a good friend from church unexpectedly passed away the night before. Life doesn't give teachers a break, so after many tears and prayers, I headed to school and spent the day teaching 25 first graders with a surprising amount of both patience and energy.
Even though I managed okay in the classroom throughout the week, I found it difficult to concentrate on any kind of evening schoolwork that needed my attention. In the midst of my struggle, I couldn't help but reflect on my students -- on this generation of students.
In the past few months I've heard statistics regarding the percentage of students who have experienced trauma. Though I can't recall the number, I remember my reaction. That's way too high. Our students, both young and old, are carrying around a lot of baggage.
If I, with my adult-sized willpower and ability to process, struggles to concentrate on school-ish tasks when in the midst of crisis, how much more of a challenge do our students face when required to physically and mentally inhabit a space that feels trivial compared to the load they bear. As the adult in the room with a long list of tasks to accomplish, I'm guilty of forgetting this and pushing on regardless.
Sometimes if we're paying attention, we'll notice that life sends us the gift of perspective, and more importantly, empathy. That's what my week did for me. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is the real deal as much for me as it is for my students. I'm reminded of the need to investigate, listen, offer some wiggle room for those bad moments or even bad days, because life doesn't give students a break either.
Dedicated to my friend, Ryan, who always took such great care of the sprinkles on the sound cupcake. You will be both dearly missed and remembered. Know that we'll take good care of Vaness and the boys.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss Tammy. I do think we sometimes forget the things that can affect our young ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Miss Trayers. I also find that sometimes the young ones don't always have the words to articulate their emotions. That makes it all the harder for the teacher.
DeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss, Tammy. I can tell how special your friend Ryan was to you. It's true - if challenges at home can be difficult for us to work around, how much more difficult for children who are just learning to cope? Just know that for those kids, your classroom is a place of stability, friendship, consistency - a balance to what might be going on at home - and that every child in your class knows that, if nothing else, he or she is coming to a place of safety and love every school day because of what you provide.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susanna. I love that you think so. This is certainly my hope.
DeleteSorry for your loss. This post reminded me of the reason I look forward to parent conferences. I discovered a student's father was facing life with a brain tumor. It made sense why this child always seemed so distracted and distant. He is now receiving counseling and is beginning to show academic growth. Some things are just more important than all the to-do's we have on our lists.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, thank you. Some things definitely are. I hope we can catch them, like you did.
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