The Small Moments of Teaching

Teaching can take a lot out of you. You give your all to your students for nine months. The days are long and don’t begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. You probably carry it all around when you go home, go to sleep, wake up in the mornings, and on the weekends. Our students’ lives become part of our lives, and sometimes, it isn’t easy to recognize where the dividing line is.  

Summers were built to rejuvenate us, help us reconnect, and find joy in this challenging and depleting profession. Summers were meant to rejuvenate, reconnect, and reflect. 

Rejuvenate

The dictionary definition for rejuvenate is – to give new energy or vigor.

The beauty of summer is that it gives us back some of our energy and helps us rediscover who we are as individuals and possibly as parents, friends, and partners. 

For me, summer means slow days that begin with morning coffee, sitting in the cool air in my backyard with my dog playing nearby. Those mornings make me appreciate all around me and allow me to look upon my day with fresh eyes. The slow days will enable me to choose between reading a book, taking a walk, writing, or spending time with family and friends. On these slow days, I can take in my days without feeling rushed. They rejuvenate me in a way that brings me energy and strength. This rejuvenation fills my soul and creates a joy deep within me, like a sunflower finally blooming in the sunshine. 

Reconnect

Summertime allows me to reconnect with those whom I love. The stress of the year is gone, and I can entirely focus on what truly matters in life. When my kids were little, summertime was filled with trips to the beach, museums, parks, and playdates. It was our time to reconnect with each other. 

As my children are now older, those days are behind us, but the desire to reconnect is not gone. We find different ways to spend time together, which is so good for our souls. My husband and I enjoy long walks and endless conversations.

Also, as I get older, I must find time to visit my mom and siblings. We do not all live in the same state, but I try to figure out how to connect with them, even if that means a text, phone call, or Facetime. 

Sometimes, during the school year, we are so caught up with our work and the needs of our students that we miss those moments with our loved ones. That is not to say that I am not present during the school year, but the opportunities for me to participate without thinking of my job and feeling stressed are few and far between. 

Reflect

The slowness of summer allows me time to reflect on my school year. It is a time to think of the many blessings that the school year brought into my life—my 27 little blessings that left an imprint in my heart. 

 The reader who was always caught reading shared joyfully every book they read. 

The organizer who made sure not only their things were organized, but everyone else’s were also. 

The helper was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who walked into the classroom. 

The comedian who kept us laughing daily. 

The confident one who tried everything, and if they failed, they kept going. 

The Risk Taker who stepped out of their comfort zone and made plenty of mistakes. 

The Encourager who always celebrated everyone and taught us all to cheer each other on. 

The Empathizing one who looked at everyone through an accepting and inclusive lens. 

The persevering one who never gave up and gave 100% effort in everything they did. 

The writer who discovered their craft and wrote more than they had ever written

The one with the Growth Mindset knew they weren’t there yet, but they kept trying. 

The deep thinker who pondered everything that was shared and impressed us with their wisdom in return. 

The leader who took the initiative and got us started. 

The listener took the time to hear everyone’s story and continued to ask questions. 

The quiet one who sat back and took everything in but never missed a beat. 

The creative added art to every note, assignment, project, and test. 

The enthusiastic one who was excited from the moment they got to school. 

The cheerful one whose smile was contagious. 

The storyteller who entertained us with their stories. 

The friend wanted everyone to feel loved and that they had a place at the table. 

The extrovert who wanted to share everything and be the life of the party. 

The kind one who found ways to make every person feel special. 

The grateful one who always expressed gratitude towards everyone. 

The innovator who was always thinking outside of the box. 

The athlete who lived and breathed sports 24/7. 

The determined one who always persevered and completed everything with 100% effort. 

And finally, 

The dancer who brought you into their song. 

These blessings play a crucial role in my reflection time during the summer because they remind me why I keep going back each year. They remind me of the joy I receive each day of the school year. The big dramatic moments do not always keep us returning; the small joys brighten our days. It is the connections, the relationships that keep us going. 

Sometimes, in the moment, we forget to look for those blessings, but when we sit to reflect, we can find a treasure of moments that remind us why we chose to be that educator. 

So, if your summer is almost over and you dread returning, reflect on those small moments and blessings from the past years. They can change your mindset and remind you why you do what you do.