Why Teachers Are Still Thriving.
COVID-19 swooped into our lives like a bat out of hell. Media frenzy, an unknown virus, and world hysteria led to uncertainty. Meanwhile, teachers were told to leave the classroom and teach from home with no formal training.
A teacher fits into a classroom like a hand in a perfectly tailored and fitted glove. We are the showman of our classroom and we thrive in the organized chaos.
Take us out of our classroom and we are a lost 5 year old in the middle of Times Square. But, as always, America’s teachers took a deep breathe and went to work.
Here’s why we adapted instantly:
Creativity: Teachers are some of the most creative minds in the world. What seemed like overnight, we adapted and came up with online learning platforms for all our students. We researched, took to social media for help, shared ideas, and supported each other through this historical time for education.
Communication: Teachers are among the best communicators. Every year in August or September, we must present and convince 25-30 students who you have never met that you have their best intentions in mind. You give them reasons why they should trust you, what your expectations are, and how they are going to love your classroom. We make ourselves vulnerable communicators in order to earn their respect throughout the year.
Made for the arena: Teachers are always up for a challenge. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Year after year we are faced with unknown challenges - but this year was our biggest challenge yet and, in my opinion teachers, have answered the bell once again.
Teach on,
Joey
A teacher fits into a classroom like a hand in a perfectly tailored and fitted glove. We are the showman of our classroom and we thrive in the organized chaos.
Take us out of our classroom and we are a lost 5 year old in the middle of Times Square. But, as always, America’s teachers took a deep breathe and went to work.
Here’s why we adapted instantly:
Creativity: Teachers are some of the most creative minds in the world. What seemed like overnight, we adapted and came up with online learning platforms for all our students. We researched, took to social media for help, shared ideas, and supported each other through this historical time for education.
Communication: Teachers are among the best communicators. Every year in August or September, we must present and convince 25-30 students who you have never met that you have their best intentions in mind. You give them reasons why they should trust you, what your expectations are, and how they are going to love your classroom. We make ourselves vulnerable communicators in order to earn their respect throughout the year.
Made for the arena: Teachers are always up for a challenge. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Year after year we are faced with unknown challenges - but this year was our biggest challenge yet and, in my opinion teachers, have answered the bell once again.
Teach on,
Joey