Skip to main content

Teacher Table Talk: A Day In The Life Of Ms. H

While teaching is a rewarding profession, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there are times when I don’t always feel like being in teacher mode. I know it’s only been about a month since school started, but after moving through September (which happens to be an insanely busy month for many educators) and pouring over new lesson plans, unit assessments, student data, grades, adjusting to new curriculum resources, and attending meetings on top of more meetings, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things -- like having quiet time with God and my morning coffee before my workday begins, having a sip of water when I get a moment to be still, having a mask break when my classroom is completely empty, greeting my students as they arrive and depart from class each day, and taking in all that’s happening in this season. 

I get to work with some of the coolest 8th graders ever. They're smart, brilliant, witty, and creative.

I get to improve upon my teaching and learning skills as a new educator.

I get to teach a subject I love (English).

And I get to learn something new almost every day.

Being a teacher has its perks, but it has its challenges too. There have been days when things were wonderful and went well with zero issues. And then there have been days when unexpected things have happened, like the morning my car battery went dead on a Monday right as I was preparing to head to work for the day. And times when lesson plans didn't always go as I hoped, or when technology failed and caused some setbacks, or when I've had to work on having a positive attitude when I've felt frustrated, exhausted, and drained. Sometimes being a teacher means showing up when you don't always feel like it, practicing patience (with yourself and others), being kind and maintaining your professionalism even when some of your colleagues choose not to, and hanging in there when the going gets tough. If you're a teacher, be encouraged on this day and in the days to come. And remember that you're teaching during a global pandemic, which isn't easy or normal. Things won't always be as hectic or as busy as they seem. This too shall pass, and you'll be just fine.

Have a peaceful day and wonderful remainder of your school year. 💫

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...
Read more

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space.  I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...
Read more

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...
Read more