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August 2020
For the 19 years I taught in a classroom, I always spent the night before the first day of school with mostly racing thoughts about first impressions, laying a good foundation, building relationships with my new students, and (most importantly) fussing over whatever chemistry demo I’d set up.
Of course this year is so much different, so much more stressful and nerve-wracking for everyone. I certainly miss having my own classroom full of students, especially now when all teachers are also longing to be back in a classroom again. Now we are all rookies again in a sense, climbing a very steep learning curve in a strange world that none of us really expected to be in.
We have all endured so much learning, so many worries, and so many losses already. My friends who are teachers, and/or parents, and/or students, I want you all to know that I see you. I see your struggles and your hopes, your fears and your love, your frustrations and your triumphs, all tied together in a tangled-up mess of reality. Take a deep breath. Take a few more deep breaths. You are enough. All of the really important things that you will need to get you through this year are already inside of your mind and your heart. You’ve got this. Rest easy tonight. Tomorrow will take care of itself. There will be better days, and together, we will all meet those better days. 