In ten years of public education, I have served students and staff on two middle school campuses, primarily in two centralized special education programs. I provide inclusion support for the students within our program as well as other students in the general education classroom setting. I have served students and staff in almost every class offered on our campuses. I have been in over 125 classrooms, 75 of those on a regular basis at one point in time as dictated by my support schedule each year. There have been many great memories and celebrations as well as some heartache along the way.
I'd like to think that maybe I have learned a few things over the years.
Some of the Best Teachers are Coaches
I have served in the classrooms of coaches teaching history, science, math, and various elective classes. I have witnessed a generation of students that have been positively impacted by coaches who were also teachers in the classroom. While some coaches may lend credence to the reputation of coaches as bad teachers in the classroom, my experience has been that some of the best teachers are coaches.
Perspective Matters
The significance of a situation can vary greatly depending on the perspective from which it is viewed. What may be viewed as insignificant to an adult may be of great significance to a student. Many students are struggling. Rather than dismissing a situation as insignificant, students need adults to adult. Students need adults to listen, teach them to navigate the situation, and provide context. As students mature, likewise their perspective will mature. In the meantime, it is important that the student perspective is acknowledged because the struggle is real.
The Importance of Flexibility
The nature of middle school is to expect the unexpected and often that sentiment has nothing to do with the students. From medical emergencies, fires, floods, and bad weather lockdowns with hundreds of parents on campus, you never know what may happen. Fortunately, the extreme occurrences are rare! Still, with 1000 students on campus, each day becomes a roller coaster of emotions as we collectively navigate the ups and downs and the loops before us each day. You have no choice but to be flexible or break.
The Importance of Teamwork
Just as the school's quarterback or leading actor cannot be successful without teammates or a supporting cast, neither can an administrator, teacher, or student be successful on their own. It takes a team willing to work together, to help each other, to learn from each other, to hold each other accountable, and to extend grace to each other to be successful. I am blessed to be part of a wonderful team!
The Importance of Observation
I spend a lot of energy each day observing students, assessing body language. You can learn a lot if you pay attention.
The Importance of Communication
Effective communication is a must. The most knowledgeable teacher is useless without the ability to effectively communicate that knowledge. Beyond choosing the right words to speak, often it is choosing to listen that proves to be most beneficial in facilitating effective communication. Middle school students are still developing their communication skills and at times they may choose unconventional methods to cry for help when they cannot find the right words to do so. We must hear their cries and respond accordingly. We must effectively communicate in order to teach the whole student.
The Importance of Finding Your People
No one should do life alone and finding likeminded people who both share common interests and support each other significantly enriches each day. Whether a student or a staff member, middle school is better once you find your people. I am blessed to have a lot of people!
Kids Have Huge Hearts
One of my favorite aspects of working in education is witnessing numerous acts of kindness as students display compassion and extend grace and patience to others. Academically, it is reassuring to sit back and watch as a student patiently, carefully explains and models for the benefit of another. Emotionally, it is encouraging as students rally around each other in times of need. Socially, it is inspiring when a student includes an outcast or welcomes a new student into a group. The displays are not limited to peer interactions. When healthy teacher-student relationships have been established, students will go to the ends of the earth on behalf of their teachers. Students have a great sense of awareness and will do what they can to make the bad days better for their teachers. Sure, sometimes kids act like kids. They don't always have the best examples teaching them and they may need some extra care when it comes to social skills, but all in all, kids have huge hearts and I am so grateful for the many acts of kindness displayed to me over the years.
The Importance of Showing Up
I show up at work each morning with the goal to be my best so that I may help others be their best. I thrive in a supportive role and nothing makes me happier than to see others excel. I once explained my job to a coworker as this: my job is to make everyone else's job easier. I take pride in doing my job well. Through flexibility, observation, communication combined with love, compassion, grace, patience, encouragement and wisdom I do my job. Beyond my job, my personal circumstances and passions afford me the freedom to show up at extracurricular activities to further my goal of helping others be their best. I am often asked why I show up at some many activities and the answer is simple. That is where the students are so that is where I can make a difference. I can celebrate successes and console in times of disappointment. I can stand in the gap for parents unable to attend. I can catch up with former students now in high school. I can encourage parents and grandparents. I can support coaches and administrators. I can make a difference simply by showing up.
It's Worth It
When I arrive early, miss lunch, and support more classes than there are in a school day... When I walk 20,000 steps in a day, run a few, and lay down on the floor in the middle of the room at the end of the day because I am exhausted.... When I volunteer because it's got to get done... When I make a decision and learn to try something else next time... When I have done all that I can and it doesn't seem to be enough...
When I am greeted in the hallway in the morning... When I am smiled at on the bad days... When a student asks if I am coming to their class to help... When frustrations are shared... When a student finally understands... When I am asked if I will be there tonight... When I am greeted with the silliest waves when I walk into a gym... When I am told hello every single time as a student walks back and forth from the stands to the concession stand over and over... When a parent's day is made as I share something positive about their student... When I drive to away games... When I am smiled at from the bench... When I am given a sweaty hug after the game... When months of life events are shared in a matter of minutes... When faces light up...
When I show up, it's worth it. The students are worth it.
I love it!