If you’re of a certain age you’ll remember that school traditionally began right after Labor Day and lasted until June. Here in Las Vegas, the school year begins today, the first full week of August and will last until the week before Memorial Day. So, thoughts, prayers, well-wishes and grace to the front-line troops who have taken up the call to get this generation ready for their future lives. 

To my fellow teachers, don’t let anyone tell you what your motivation must be to do this job. Don’t let anyone cast blame for society’s ills on you. Find comfort and support with your fellow teachers and allies. You are not in this alone and no one does it alone. You are the expert in the field, and no one knows your students like you do. Listen to suggestions and insights that supervisors might offer, but their brief periodic observations are not more valid than your day-after-day efforts. 

Just as every student is different, there is no one right way to teach. What works in the classroom next door may or may not work for you. You are not the weak link or the reason things “never work.” You might not be the “right fit” for certain assignments, but that’s just as much your administrators’ responsibility to figure out as it is yours. Not everyone can do this job and not everyone can fill any position. 

Do what you can with the group of students you’re given. But look for help from fellow teachers and admin. Randomly complaining is understandable but is not “looking for help,” especially in public. Remember, we’re all at different positions on the same wave of events. Whatever event outside of school surfaces in your classroom, in the front office, in the cafeteria, one after the other or all at once, and how we respond it important, but not it not personal or “your fault.” Maybe a student playing games on their phone is their attempt to numb the pain of feeling unwanted at home, and their inattention has nothing to do with your skill or efforts as a teacher. Maybe a kind word or gesture to a student starts a positive wave that moves out across campus or the community. Of course, only you and that student will know and have that personal smile to remember. 

You showed up. They showed up. Let’s see what good things you can do together. It’s all connected and your efforts are worth more than can be measured by “successes.” We’re never “done,” and that means there’s always room for improvement and what we build along the way is really the point versus some artificial “destination.” 

One moment at a time, one day at a time, one person or group of persons at a time, guide, encourage, joke and then move on. Your currency is your caring, but don’t linger or fixate. You’ve created the environment, you’ve set up the structure for learning. If they don’t get it, troubleshoot where the translation might be failing. If they have chosen to stay disengaged, provide the means from them to access the materials when they’re ready and move on. Don’t let that discourage you to do your best and continue to iterate and innovate your process and your understanding. It’s a long process, you can’t let yourself be distracted or discouraged by those unwilling to listen and learn. Good luck, my friends. I’ve been in your shoes and I wish you the best in your efforts for the next school year.