Replaceable. Pencils, glue sticks, markers, scissors…all items that can be replaced.  In a school environment, yes, even teachers and students are replaceable.  What is irreplaceable, is the impact one can leave behind. One of my favorite units to teach is our Changemakers unit.  This unit has evolved in amazing ways.  Students (and teachers) learn more about their personality traits (are they introverts? extroverts? a little of both?).  We learn from famous (and not so famous) introverts and extroverts of the world.  We emphasize on the change they made that impacted their community, their country, the world. A change that  will be around for a while, even though the person might not be.  A legacy, one might say, that is irreplaceable.  As we get older, and we realize how time goes by so quickly, we start thinking of the moments we won’t get back, the changes we could have made, the memories we don’t want to lose.  All of these irreplaceable.  As an educator, I am, and have been, working on a legacy that I hope will make an impact on some of my students.  With time, I have come to realize I have a deep focus on quality over quantity.  Quality of work, quality of activities, quality of friendships, quality of time spent with others…all of these, if done well, become truly irreplaceable.  In a world that is moving faster and faster, sometimes at a pace that is unreachable, we might find ourselves constantly replacing moments, items, people.  But to slow down, to focus on the quality of the moment, of the job being done, of the change being made, that is when something irreplaceable appears.  This, I have learned, over many years…and I hope this is the irreplaceable lesson my students learn from me.  

Logical.  We continuously try to find the logic of certain actions, events and thoughts.  We try to make things understandable and reasonable, in order to find their meaning.  When working with children, logic sometimes seems to go out the window.  There are moments when a child allows their emotions to take over and they will act illogically.  At least, what seems illogical to us as adults.  Then we realize, they are growing humans, still developing their self-awareness and self- regulation. Their actions probably have an explanation behind them, and once found, logic comes back in through the same window it had left.  Finding the explanation is easier said than done, because when we are faced with something we deem illogical, our own emotions come in to play.  This is especially difficult when we are dealing with adults.  So many moments in my career I have run across actions, events and thoughts of a parent that seem completely devoid of logic.  I cannot help it and find myself falling in to the trap of becoming judgmental.   However, time  allows us to experience many things and with these experiences comes knowledge.  With this knowledge gained over the years I have come up with a  conclusion:  as adults we are still developing our self-awareness and self-regulation…as adults we have strong emotions that can stem from many unresolved moments in our lives…as adults we might seem illogical  to others, when it comes to dealing with our own children.  So, the next time I sit across from an “illogical” parent (or any adult), I will breathe and listen and not judge…then, I will kindly invite logic to come inside and sit with us…hoping that logic will place our emotions aside, and allow us to come up with reasonable solutions. 

Measurable.  As teachers we are constantly measuring student academic and non-academic growth.  Just like a pediatrician takes height and weight measurements every year and then places them on a graph. Teachers are expected to consistently gather data to map student growth. I understand that this is valuable information.  Pediatricians need to be able to identify if something is affecting a child’s physical growth.  Teachers need to be able to identify if something is affecting a child’s academic and social-emotional growth.  Why?  Ideally, to find out what might be causing a significant delay or rapid increase in growth.  Once identified, we can tailor to the students’ needs.  This is what is truly amazing in education nowadays.  We value what each student may need, and although it can be extremely trying, I believe, if done well, we are helping the student grow in areas that are actually immeasurable.  If done well, proper support for a struggling or advanced student will help their moral character.  It can make the difference between someone who gives up or someone who perseveres.  It can make the difference between someone who takes the easy road and someone who challenges themselves. It can make the difference between someone who believes they can achieve anything and someone who doesn’t think they will amount to much….and all of this is immeasurable.   

Perceptions.  They are all around us.  Working in an environment with children, I am very used to wrong or incorrect understandings of something, whether it be an instruction, an academic process or a simple gesture.  I must admit, I also have moments when I misinterpret behaviors, words, and actions.  This has made me learn to pause, ask and to make sure I am not confused in what I am perceiving.  Sometimes, I might find out, pleasantly, that  I was wrong, and that my emotions were causing me to  misperceive a moment.  For example, when students are chatting during independent reading time, but what is actually happening is that they are sharing their thoughts on the book because they are really into it.  Another example, when a student is at their desk holding up the transition to get quickly and quietly into a line, and you realize they are not wasting their time, they are scrambling to find the correct way to divide.  Lastly, when you jump quickly to conclusions that “mischief had been managed”, when actually there is a clear, logical explanation.  Misperceptions can come from avoidance.  Avoidance of confrontation or avoidance of clarification.  Children are often scared to confront or clarify, and we need to remember that.  Modeling and admitting when we are wrong, and how to take the steps to confront and clarify something we have misperceived is an important life skill.  After all, you never know how damaging a misperception can become.

Connected.  It seems like, nowadays, we are connected to technology 24/7.  My laptop and cellphone come with me wherever I go, therefore, I fear, so does my work.  It is so difficult to disconnect.  Our school has a 1:1 laptop policy, which means technology is a very valuable tool for us in our day to day teaching.  Actually, it is a necessity.  Throughout the past 5 years, I have come to notice how easy it is for my students to misuse this amazing device.  We have had many discussions about this with co-workers.  One very wise co-worker mentioned a theory:  the first contact our young generations have with technology is as an entertainment device, not necessarily a tool.  Digital Natives view technology as play before work, whereas Digital Immigrants view technology as work before play.  Our first contact with technology is what defines its primary use.  Regardless, whether it is used for work or play, we are connected for both and we are taking face-to-face interactions for granted.  My students’ stamina to stay engaged online is far longer than being engaged with me during a mini-lesson.  My stamina to read a book is far less than when I research online (yikes!).  Digital overload is very real, and as an educator it scares me.  As an educator I struggle more and more for my students to connect with me during valuable learning moments that don’t involve technology.  I notice the difference year after year. This year, during Quiet Time, after lunch, students must be technology-free, and I need to model this.  It is a struggle, but one I will insist upon until the end.  Yes, the famous “disconnect to connect” motto rules my Quiet Time. Disconnecting to connect with ourselves and with each other.  

Plans. Lots of a teacher’s time is spent on planning…curriculum planning, unit planning, lesson planning.  Having a “map” or a “guide” is important to accomplish daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals.  Yet the best moments in my teaching career have been the unplanned ones.  This year, I will never forget the unplanned Scattegories moment.  Valentine’s Day was in the air and so was the smell of cupcakes and sweet treats.  Students were excited they would get some free-time to share and eat these goodies, when suddenly, I gave an instruction:  “During this free time as you enjoy your treats, find friends to play a board game with.”  Some faces lit up, others looked bewildered.  As usual, my rebellious boys decided to ignore these instructions, walking around the room instead, with no particular end to their journey.  I decided to step in and stop this pointless roaming.  “Let’s go to the carpet and play Scattegories. Follow me.”  You would have thought I had just told them they were about to take a horribly difficult test.  Reluctantly, they sat in a circle and allowed me to explain the game. Slowly, very slowly, they seemed to be leaning forward a bit more as their interest was peaked.  Changing the rules a bit, we selected our own categories and then we began.  What followed was one of the most fun, challenging, and enriching moments I have experienced as a teacher.  These boys got so in to the game, they did not want to stop. If we had a bird’s eye view of this moment, you would see me and four boys, sprawled on the carpet, intently filling out our categories sheets.  We laughed, we complimented each other on our answers, we encouraged each other to not give up.  It was amazing. Their pointless roaming around the classroom ended at the carpet and turned in to a competitive brain-game. The result of this unplanned moment? Students who felt good about themselves and a teacher who felt a bit more connected to these hard-to-reach boys.  Unplanned moments…definitely necessary to balance the planned ones.

Dear Sunday,

Day of the Sun.  Rain or shine, you brighten the end of our weekend with another restful day.  Many of my students say if they could give you a color, it would be white, because it reminds them of going to church and being with family. Quite fitting, being that white represents faith, safety and protection.  White also can represent beginnings.  Sunday, although you are the end of something, you are also announcing the beginning of something else.  You announce a week full of possibilities and fresh opportunities.  There is something very special about you, Sunday.  You allow us time to be leisurely, yet you also give us time to prepare for the days to come.  

Thank you Sunday!

Sincerely,

Ms. C & 5B

P.S.  See you again real soon.  

Dear Saturday,

You arrived and many greeted you with no alarms and open arms. Blue seems to be the color that fits you…blue oceans and blue skies bid our weekly troubles good-bye.  Saturday, you bring calm and rest.  Everyone is just a little less stressed.  Schedule-free, you just let us be. So many celebrate your arrival, so necessary for our survival.  We truly hate to see you go, but it is necessary, we know.  May the days go quickly until we meet again, so that we can once again have some zen. 

Thank you Saturday!

Sincerely, 

Ms. C & 5B

P.S.  Day of the planet Saturn…planet with amazing rings…thank you for letting us rest our wings 😉

Dear Friday,

You came and almost went without a note to you.  So many people wait for you longingly.  Friday, you are both an end and a beginning.  One of my students honored you with all the colors they can think of, because they are so happy when you arrive.  Many others said you are yellow…mellow yellow.  We also found out that “yellow stands for freshness, happiness, positivity, clarity, energy, optimism, enlightenment, remembrance, intellect, honor, loyalty, and joy, but on the other, it represents cowardice and deceit.”  The last two traits are surprising, but I have to say Friday, you did arrive today with highs and lows.  I am glad you arrived, but I am also relieved you are almost gone.  Please take no offense Friday, and please come back again.

Thank you Friday!

Sincerely,

Ms. C & 5B

P.S.  You are the beginning of a 3-day weekend, so thank you for that.

Dear Thursday,

How are you? Hope you have arrived ready to spread some serenity. Many get frazzled when they realize you are here. Rushing to complete tasks that need to be done by tomorrow. I have to confess you might be one of my favorite days of the week. You make us realize that the weekend is near, yet many times you go unnoticed.  A couple of my students chose purple to represent you.  That made me picture you dressed in a purple gown, elegant, noble and serene. This image is just what I needed for today.  I fear I greeted you a bit frazzled, with MANY “to-do’s” and very tired.  However, your presence has made me feel better already. Thursday, you are a quiet, noble friend who gives us the time to accomplish what we are meant to accomplish, and gives us hope that rest is near.

Thank you Thursday!

Sincerely,

 Ms. C & 5B

P.S. My first daughter was born on a Thursday and it was also Earth Day.  I realize those are big reasons why you are one of my favorite days of the week!