Another teacher blogger recently described her ability to let chaos wash over her. While my little “Relax” poster on my wall attempts to refocus my brain on this goal, I still feel like the young superhero unable to harness my powers. There are moments when I shut off my frustration and just wait patiently for the storm to pass, feeling no stress, superhuman. However, there are still plenty of other moments where I forget how to be calm, cool, detached, stuck in my wimpy humanity.
Instead of freezing time, my new favorite (and more attainable) superhero power is a zen-like readiness for everything life brings my way. Yoga helps a little in this training. I definitely leave class feeling like my car is floating home, my mind a million miles from whatever stresses emerged in my day. The other training I too often forget, is stopping to consciously appreciate the good things. So, a small list, of everything school-related that made me smile today:
1. A student that moved over the summer sent us a postcard for our Husky Fan Club, so we wrote her back, making our own, hand-made postcards. Reading the students’ responses reassured me we have truly bonded as a classroom family.
More than one student included the word family regarding our classroom. Happy tear.
2. This year I have taken more time to set students up for free-writing by telling them about my own writing process and desire to become published. Never have I seen my students work so fervently, silently writing as quickly as their pencils will carry them in ten minutes. When the timer goes off, they groan, wanting more time but excited to count their words. A lifetime love for writing in the making for at least some, I’m sure.
3. Brainstorming for their Hopes & Dreams project, students started a discussion about whether money buys happiness. Of course, they disagreed, but we ended with one student explaining that money buys freedom, a potential source of happiness. Sometimes they are wise beyond their years.
4. Lunch with a student today, on a big blue picnic table underneath a gigantic pine tree left me feeling fulfilled. Sometimes they just need to talk. If only I could tell their fascinating secrets… Teacher first, writer second.
5. One more day completed on this wild journey.
oliviaobryon 
From a first year teacher, I’m glad to hear that we all go through it, and immerge stronger on the other side. We have to savor those little glimpses;)
Agreed! And, it does get a little bit easier, I think. If nothing else, we get better at it! 🙂
“Lunch with a student today, on a big blue picnic table underneath a gigantic pine tree left me feeling fulfilled. Sometimes they just need to talk. If only I could tell their fascinating secrets… Teacher first, writer second.”
And this, to me, is the greatest thing about children that age, and the opportunity to be a teacher … to see those little windows into their souls, their hearts and their minds. Their hopes, their dreams, their fears. I would love to have those opportunities. You’re doing the right thing … finding the good in a situation where the difficulties could overwhelm you.
I’m trying! It’s definitely these things that keep me teaching. Their stories are each so interesting, I really wish I could share. Maybe someday, an anonymous teacher blog 😉