Typically, when we get to this time of year, we have mixed emotions. A lot of parents are excited for their children to head back to school while many of the children are lamenting the loss of summer freedom. We are shopping for new clothes and school supplies. Many children are looking forward to exploring new grades and reconnecting with old friends. We are looking forward to fall sports – including the community event known as local High School football. Teachers are getting geared up for new challenges within the context of their familiar profession. Yeah, those were the good old days. With all the uncomfortableness of the unknowns of this school year, I know very few people looking forward to the beginning of this term.
While all of us are being impacted by the pandemic, my heart really goes out to our teachers. Most of them are having to adapt to a changing climate on the fly – with minimal preparation, little comfort and limited confidence. If teaching weren’t hard enough, now success and failure has a new component – health and safety.
I wish I had the words to ease the burden of our teachers, but I don’t. All I can do is tell them that I am praying for their success. As a community, let’s be patient with them and encouraging toward them as they do the best they can with our most precious natural resource – our children.
Teachers, thank you for what you do! We appreciate your skills and the concern you have for our families. Many of us owe much of our success to you, please know that you have our support, too!