Dear Adult,
It seems in the wake of tragedy in our society people start pointing fingers. Sometimes at other adults, sometimes at kids. Teenagers have their heads stuck in their phones. All hope in our next generation has been lost. Teenagers only care about themselves. I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the life of a child. I didn’t go into teaching so I could practice intruder drills with my students. I didn’t go into teaching so I could lay awake at night trying to answer all the what jf questions that come from those drills. I didn’t go into teaching so I could read an incredibly boring script before state testing every year. I didn’t go into teaching so I could fill out paperwork, and documentation reports, and incident reports, and data trials, and..my list could go on. I do these not so great things because of our ever changing society and the needs that arise to protect my students and make them better people. I went into teaching so I could advocate for someone whose voice wasn’t quite strong enough on it’s own.
Have you ever seen the popular girl stop to help the quiet girl pick up her supplies scattered all over a busy hallway? I have.
Have you ever witnessed a student who has been disconnected from the classroom start yelling at a book during a class read aloud because he’s so invested in what’s coming off the page? And watch that same kid beg to spend the class period reading? I have.
Have you ever felt the silence in a classroom as a student tells the class, The most noble act a person can do is give their life for someone else? How about watch a teacher’s eyes fill with tears because she knows what that student was really saying in that moment was I’ll protect this classroom if it comes down to it..? I have.
Have you heard a packed auditorium of teenagers go wild when the students from the multiple disabilities classroom get on stage and perform their yearly dance routine in the talent show? I have.
Have you watched a kid’s face go from frustration to bewilderment when they hear I’m proud of you even though they made a few bad choices before a good one? Or the look on their face when a student hears I’m thankful for you or I appreciate you? I have.
Have you ever felt like a complete fool after you’ve spent a class period nagging a student to wake up, but come to find out that student has been helping out at home by making dinner and taking care of siblings so a parent could work? I have.
Again, the list could go on. We don’t always hear about the great things kids are doing every day. We hear, kids aren’t doing (insert whatever you want) or adults have failed our kids. Of course kids make poor decisions. I choose to help them in the dark times and celebrate the goodness.
I promise you the great things our younger generation are doing far outweighs the bad. Sometimes kids make bad choices and act like fools in public. Weren’t you once a teenager who needed a little help to get back on the right path? You may be where you are because of some pretty fabulous people in your life. Teachers, parents, bus drivers, friends, coaches, family, anyone. I know I am. Be that adult for a kid in your life. They may act like they don’t need you, but remember you tried to be tough at one time, too. ❤️
Love,
A teacher thankful for those adults in her life.
The Yellow Farmhouse 