Prioritizing Students

 Teachers are stressed right now, and justifiably so.  Teachers are rolling up their sleeves and doing what needs to be done... but everything is different.

I have heard many teachers say the same thing this year -- "I feel like a first year teacher."  Others have said, "I feel like I am being set up to fail."

I could go into all kinds of particulars as to why the teachers are stressed.  I could tell first hand situations that demonstrate why the teachers feel set up to fail.  I could relay the laundry list of everything that is different from last year to this year.  None of that will help anyone (including me) feel more prepared for the first week of school... so I'm going to tell you something else.

Yesterday, Tracey received a hand-written postcard from her new first-grade teacher.

With ALL the things this teacher is learning, planning, arranging, and organizing for the start of the year, she took the time to write a lovely note to Tracey.  This teacher recognized that back-to-school looks differently this year, and she has not had the chance to welcome students to back-to-school nights, or orientation events.  Of all the demands upon her time, she values personally welcoming her students to school before the first day in an effort to make them as comfortable as possible to be in her class for the first day of school.

This is the nature of teachers -- they will prioritize the students above everything else.  Above the stress, above the changes, above the policy and protocols... good teachers, true teachers are going to welcome students back for a fantastic year -- and they are going to get creative, because teachers are creative people.

Here is the best part -- Tracey was able to read almost the entire postcard message independently.

In every sense, she is ready for first grade!