Kert this was spot on! We certainly need more teachers and administrators like you! I have two granddaughters that are teachers and I have forwarded today’s insights from you. Keep on
Even though that school Appalachee is only 13 miles from me, I’m sure you felt it more than me. I can’t imagine being on the staff of a school in the weeks after, what a challenge…such important work.
It’s amazing 52 years of first day of school. I was so happy when I finished High School and then when I finished college. Never wanted to go back. Although now when I visit college campuses I do enjoy the feeling of being there. I did get to teach kids in a classroom for a few months in Vietnam and that was fun but enough. Educators have a gift.
I had an old friend who became a principal, and it was really weird to imagine my goofy buddy being “The Principal”. One of my Principals had a huge box of full size candy bars when you came in she’d let you grab one…sounds like you wanting to make them feel comfortable in your office. I was probably helped by her because I was there for being bad but she was so nice to me. She could probably see right through me and knew I had a bad home life and didn’t need any more piling on. Remembering it now makes me feel blessed by her.
Love this, Jeffrey. Thank you for sharing it. I suspect most have at least one educator in their lives who made some kind of impact. I had a few—which is part of why school was so comfortable for me. BTW: I can guarantee that kind principal saw right through you. She likely also saw potential and what was in your heart. You were blessed by her, that’s a kind thing to say. But I also guarantee she was blessed by you—I was blessed by every child I served. If they could be themselves in front of me, that was HUGE. If others kept trying to act or wear masks, I saw right through them, and they knew it. That too was HUGE!
Kert, you would have no way of knowing what this kicked up for me, so I will tell you, briefly here, and then maybe write more about it later. I was in school as a student, in classrooms and labs, for 24 years. That's a lot of seat time with teachers and fellow students and, after some on the job training, I had the audacity to become a teacher, and in one capacity or another, I was a "teacher" educator in different places and positions for 61 years. During that time I was the perpetual "student" learning life lessons and passing along to others what I found that worked, that made a difference, that would help people come closer to their ideal visions of themselves and their respective communities. It's hard to believe I am still doing this, however on a smaller scale than previously. You and I are the beneficiaries of teaching/learning communities where people were the priorities, not the products.
Yes, schools are sacred, that's why they are "set apart" for their special purpose of growing children. To desecrate a school by any means is despicable and dastardly and "it does not have to be this way" but in order for that to happen, we need to make some significant changes on several fronts.
I knew that piece would resonate with you—maybe we need to co-author a book that I’m not writing! LOL!
You really capture for me, here, what I have believed from the start—about teaching AND coaching. Teachers and coaches don’t teach and coach subjects or sports (“What do you teach?” Math. “What do you coach?” Football.). No. Teachers and coaches teach and coach young people—which is supposed to mean that their teaching and coaching transcends all subjects and sports. Like you allude to, we grew children. YES!!! The BEST coaches and teachers knew this—and I’m talking the Jaime Escalante’s, the John Wooden’s, the Vince Lombardi’s of the world. There are a few contemporary exemplars too—from women’s college basketball, to Coach Pete Carroll, to a college coach my team played against but who became an absolute LEGEND in the Northwest—Frosty Westering. (You’ve given me the idea to write more about this later—for the book I’m not writing).
Those significant changes you mention are our moral obligations—subject, sadly, to political will. Though schools should NEVER be a political plaything, the structure of public, and even private, schooling places us firmly in that realm.
Sad to see the demise of public education stuck with an old model that is obsolete and no longer serving best interest of children, or teachers or communities either. Too many good teachers leaving the profession early IMNSHO.
A lovely piece, Kert. And a poignant honoring of the victims of yet another horrendous shooting.
Your students were blessed to have you as teacher and principal. I look forward to the addition of your upcoming Postcards. And the book you’re not writing, brilliant.
I spent ten years in the classroom, mostly as an eighth grade English teacher. Like you, every time I hear of a mass school shooting, I hold my breath. The first thing I think of is the students and the second: the teachers. I have so much more to say on this, but I'd probably end up with a book by the time it's all told!
I have been on childcare leave for four years now, and though I miss the classroom, I don't want to miss this time at home with my two small children. I am enjoying this phase of teaching very much so, and maybe one day, I'll be back. In the meantime, I'm writing more as I've been afforded more time during the weekdays with part-time childcare. I don't know if writing will become my new career, but I'm game for giving it a go. My daughters are a huge motivator in this new journey (as well as the students and staff that I was so honored to work with). ❤️
I hope you find the time to check out my own work over at Human/Mother sometime! Thanks!
Hats off to you, Kert.
School was a refuge for me when I was growing up, and I have so much appreciation for good teachers and principals.
I look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks for serving in such an important way.
Your kindness lands softly and well upon my heart this morning Diana, thank you.
I'm glad it landed well, Kert. However it was honest and sincere. I really appreciate good teachers.
Kert this was spot on! We certainly need more teachers and administrators like you! I have two granddaughters that are teachers and I have forwarded today’s insights from you. Keep on
sharing! Maybe even write that book🤗🤞
Thank you Konnie!!! Such kind words—always love seeing comments from you.
Even though that school Appalachee is only 13 miles from me, I’m sure you felt it more than me. I can’t imagine being on the staff of a school in the weeks after, what a challenge…such important work.
It’s amazing 52 years of first day of school. I was so happy when I finished High School and then when I finished college. Never wanted to go back. Although now when I visit college campuses I do enjoy the feeling of being there. I did get to teach kids in a classroom for a few months in Vietnam and that was fun but enough. Educators have a gift.
I had an old friend who became a principal, and it was really weird to imagine my goofy buddy being “The Principal”. One of my Principals had a huge box of full size candy bars when you came in she’d let you grab one…sounds like you wanting to make them feel comfortable in your office. I was probably helped by her because I was there for being bad but she was so nice to me. She could probably see right through me and knew I had a bad home life and didn’t need any more piling on. Remembering it now makes me feel blessed by her.
Love this, Jeffrey. Thank you for sharing it. I suspect most have at least one educator in their lives who made some kind of impact. I had a few—which is part of why school was so comfortable for me. BTW: I can guarantee that kind principal saw right through you. She likely also saw potential and what was in your heart. You were blessed by her, that’s a kind thing to say. But I also guarantee she was blessed by you—I was blessed by every child I served. If they could be themselves in front of me, that was HUGE. If others kept trying to act or wear masks, I saw right through them, and they knew it. That too was HUGE!
Kert, you would have no way of knowing what this kicked up for me, so I will tell you, briefly here, and then maybe write more about it later. I was in school as a student, in classrooms and labs, for 24 years. That's a lot of seat time with teachers and fellow students and, after some on the job training, I had the audacity to become a teacher, and in one capacity or another, I was a "teacher" educator in different places and positions for 61 years. During that time I was the perpetual "student" learning life lessons and passing along to others what I found that worked, that made a difference, that would help people come closer to their ideal visions of themselves and their respective communities. It's hard to believe I am still doing this, however on a smaller scale than previously. You and I are the beneficiaries of teaching/learning communities where people were the priorities, not the products.
Yes, schools are sacred, that's why they are "set apart" for their special purpose of growing children. To desecrate a school by any means is despicable and dastardly and "it does not have to be this way" but in order for that to happen, we need to make some significant changes on several fronts.
I knew that piece would resonate with you—maybe we need to co-author a book that I’m not writing! LOL!
You really capture for me, here, what I have believed from the start—about teaching AND coaching. Teachers and coaches don’t teach and coach subjects or sports (“What do you teach?” Math. “What do you coach?” Football.). No. Teachers and coaches teach and coach young people—which is supposed to mean that their teaching and coaching transcends all subjects and sports. Like you allude to, we grew children. YES!!! The BEST coaches and teachers knew this—and I’m talking the Jaime Escalante’s, the John Wooden’s, the Vince Lombardi’s of the world. There are a few contemporary exemplars too—from women’s college basketball, to Coach Pete Carroll, to a college coach my team played against but who became an absolute LEGEND in the Northwest—Frosty Westering. (You’ve given me the idea to write more about this later—for the book I’m not writing).
Those significant changes you mention are our moral obligations—subject, sadly, to political will. Though schools should NEVER be a political plaything, the structure of public, and even private, schooling places us firmly in that realm.
Sad to see the demise of public education stuck with an old model that is obsolete and no longer serving best interest of children, or teachers or communities either. Too many good teachers leaving the profession early IMNSHO.
A lovely piece, Kert. And a poignant honoring of the victims of yet another horrendous shooting.
Your students were blessed to have you as teacher and principal. I look forward to the addition of your upcoming Postcards. And the book you’re not writing, brilliant.
Thank you Paulette! That book I’m not writing is going to be a best seller! Just sayin’.
I have no doubt!
Count me in - looking forward to more postcards!
I spent ten years in the classroom, mostly as an eighth grade English teacher. Like you, every time I hear of a mass school shooting, I hold my breath. The first thing I think of is the students and the second: the teachers. I have so much more to say on this, but I'd probably end up with a book by the time it's all told!
I have been on childcare leave for four years now, and though I miss the classroom, I don't want to miss this time at home with my two small children. I am enjoying this phase of teaching very much so, and maybe one day, I'll be back. In the meantime, I'm writing more as I've been afforded more time during the weekdays with part-time childcare. I don't know if writing will become my new career, but I'm game for giving it a go. My daughters are a huge motivator in this new journey (as well as the students and staff that I was so honored to work with). ❤️
I hope you find the time to check out my own work over at Human/Mother sometime! Thanks!
Done! Thanks Katrina.