Some time ago, I received a book of quotes and poetry by Maya Angelou. It’s a lovely, little green display book that stands on its own like a flip chart and each page has a quote or idea inspired by Maya Angelou. This book has sat on my desk and followed me around from school to school and classroom to classroom as an inspirational grounding for me; in quiet moments of reflection I’ll read a few pages that apply to both personal and professional significance. My most favourite page has the quote, “You may not think you can change things. Try anyway.” Inspired by this, I’ve thought about some of the lessons I learned last year and will take forward with me to this year….
You may plan the perfect unit, lesson, or assignment. It might be a subject that you love and you’re certain that it will be the spark that helps the children to love it, too. Then, your teaching assignment changes. Plan anyway.
You may have prepared your lesson plans. They may be meticulously detailed and you believe you’ve thought of everything. You may have to shift because the students need more time, there’s a last minute change in the day or a fire drill. Prepare anyway.
You may start your year building community in your classroom and you may work at these relationships for a long time together. It may take many attempts and experiences or it may be a series of small, undefinable moments together. And still, it may not be perfect. Build it anyway.
You may learn new and exciting teaching strategies. You may want to try out some of these lessons with students and see how it makes a difference for them – and it might be messy the first or second or third time. Be messy anyway.
You might have days when you are thinking through a problem together as a class or with your colleagues. Maybe you don’t have an answer right away, maybe the solution isn’t quite what you anticipated. Think together anyway.
You will have overwhelming days when everything feels heavy. It might feel uncomfortable to ask for an extension, some help, or grace from others, but there are friends who want to help you. So ask anyway.
I hope we all find courage and inspiration to continue planning, prepping, inspiring, learning, and supporting students and each other. For now, take a breath, be in the moment, find inspiration and joy in the hard work that we do.
