Be Somebody's Wednesday Afternoon

Back in April I was asked at my G/T interview why I wanted the job. Standard question and one you almost forget to prepare for because it is so basic. Without even really considering it, I started talking and even amazed myself at the response. I said "Wednesday afternoons were my safe place at school during 5th grade. I hated almost every minute of that miserable year except Wednesday afternoon. I vowed to grow up and be a good teacher so no one would have to relive my 5th grade year. I want to be someone else's safe place."  One afternoon last week, I noticed one of my students began to withdraw from the action at about 2:00. I walked over and asked the child if everything was ok. The student looked at me as tears welled up and said, "I know at 2:30 I have to leave and I won't see you for a week. I like it here. It makes me sad at school because I'm bored and you're nice." My heart dropped into my stomach because I had just accomplished the goal I was praying no longer needed accomplishing. My dear, sweet, dedicated, hard-working teacher friends, I am one of you. But can I encourage you this week? Watch out for those little ones - The little ones who are smart enough to get it without your help, and who are smart enough to drive you BANANAS with "what if?" The quiet ones who you question "Are they even really G/T?" and the ones who are sometimes so excited that they seem overbearing and rude. Love them just like you'd love any of the rest. Make time to answer their questions and challenge their thinking. I KNOW you can't do it all the time. Teachers are more and more overburdened in absolutely every area. But if you feel overburdened this week, know that A. I pray for you - most days during the silence of our all-too-short lunches, and B. remember my little one.  And I promise, it gets easier with practice. Just do a little bit and it becomes a new normal. The do a bit more and keep growing! You are amazing and doing a fabulous job, even if no one told you that this week. I know how hard you work on those report cards and awards and goals and end-of-six-weeks reports. So hang in there - October can be tough. And remember those precious little humans and be the teacher they want to be with every day!