By Stephanie Linehan
There are so many good, helpful, fascinating, and proud reasons I was a teacher first. Teaching first in my career line-up taught me uber organization and time management. It taught me to think ahead yet be in the moment. o have goals but embrace the immediacy. To hold each child’s learning in the palm of my hand* and yet, set them free. To handle emotions and conversations and situations carefully. With a listening ear and an open heart. To work on the spot; quickly, and diligently and yet take time to nurture relationships and each child’s individual development. That you’ll strive for perfection but it’s really about honoring and respecting the imperfect people, places, and things (nouns basically, LOL #alwaysateacher). But in all sincerity, honoring and respecting children … humans … the general public … and most especially but oftentimes the hardest, yourself. \That a child’s learning takes time and you’ll feel the pressure but yet to acknowledge, respect, and know to take a step back, take it all in, take a deep breath, or take a time out. And you might not realize it until it’s too late but taking care of you first is truly taking care of others in the long run. That teaching is the hardest best job around. And that sometimes you have to set aside the hardest part and walk away with the best part. ;)
You move into something new and remember all those things. ou clean up the breakroom most afternoons because the task isn’t necessarily assigned but you know someone should do it and you don’t want the funny (yet missed) wash-your-dishes-or-else memes to randomly appear above the sink. And when a student needs snow pants or boots or warm clothes or a cold lunch or a basket of toiletries to take home or a book for the classroom book exchange you just do it. Somehow. You make things happen. On the fly. In disguise. Inconspicuous. You know how to be resourceful: garage sales, Goodwill, family and friend hand-me-downs, local organizations, fellow colleagues in the trenches along with you. You have it all in your back pocket. They talk about a teacher’s ‘tool kit’ alluding to classroom management but really, it’s a tool kit for life. All the tricks. All the whereabouts. All the things. Having gumption and just jumping in. Just doing it. To help others. Get the job done. No matter what. There is a lot of that in education - no matter what. And with zero judgement. Zero expectations. You just do. And honestly, the ‘returns’ are ten-fold. In a child’s hug of gratitude or tears when they really needed someone to listen or the Dollar Tree-bought gift they could barely afford but were giddy-excited to give it to you. Or the incredible, bilingual student with autism who checks in on you at your desk upset and at your wits-end with Covid protocols and missing links, sign-ups, appointments, and follow-ups with your own children. “Why are you crying, Mrs. Linehan? It’ll be okay, Mrs. Linehan.” And a pat on the shoulder. These are the things. The tricks. he wisdom. The moments. The love. The know-how you never.ever.forget. And you know you had something special because you got to be a teacher.
Students sometimes tend to say, “Oh, I’m so glad I got you for a teacher!” But truthfully in my heart, mind, and soul, I’m so glad I got you for a student.) #whosteachingwhom
When you become a teacher, you enter this pact. You’ll cross your t’s and dot your i’s and you’ll complete all your due diligence because you want to do a really good job and you work really hard. But deep down inside, you know what your students need. Some days you have to scratch the lesson plan. Turn off the lights. Circle up on the classroom carpet. And pass around a coin purse of pennies. So each child has a chance at “A Penny for your Thoughts.” And they take this time so seriously and so lovingly and in such confidentiality. You’ll be reminded of the resilience and patience and understanding innately in children. And you’ll strive to be more like them. ;)
In the midst of teaching, you might become a parent. A mom. You’ll remember your due diligence as in teaching. But this time, nutrition, doctor’s appointments, vaccinations, vitamins, photos, photo albums, clean clothes, baths, tummy time, bedtimes, breakfasts, so.many.snacks, Christmas magic, activities, events, calendars, schedules, etc. But you’ll also - usually as a result of being knocked down, kicked in the gut, etc. - remember to lay down on the ground, holding your child’s hand, as he falls asleep for the first time in his big boy bed. And you remember to just be around. Be present. Be in the moment. The immediacy. But appear nonchalant (because you have teenagers, LOL!). To talk when she feels overwhelmed by classes and schedules and decisions. Or you catch them paying closer attention as you and your husband decompress about the workday and they just really want to take in how you handled certain situations.
The days are long but the years are short. You’ll be so completely, utterly, hugely grateful you had those years together at Greenwood. So you could check on them at lunch. Be warmed knowing they were just down the hallway. Be there quickly when he’s in the nurse’s bathroom crying over spilled water that appeared like he wet his pants. Being present for the cute, innocent, simple classroom plays and grade-level concerts knowing my colleagues had my back and could cover my class if need be. The availability and opportunity to sign things, bring things, see things, know things. Looking back, I was so tired and so strained. But now … I can’t hold back my tears and damn, I miss it.
I’m so freaking grateful that I was a teacher first. And a mom - still am, always will be. That they’re growing up. That life has changed for me work-wise. And that everything I acquired, experienced, learned, and loved is coming right along with me. All because I got to be a teacher.
* As a teacher, I aspired to nurture and educate a parent’s greatest asset … their child. In my new role as a Trust Administration Specialist, I continue to work with assets. But this time, supporting our trust officers with people’s investment & retirement accounts and trusts & estates. Figuratively, I hold these, too, in the palm of my hand. Carefully. Intentionally. Thoughtfully. Respectfully.
I recently received this spot-on excerpt below from a beautiful, caring, funny, wise, dear lifelong friend who’s not on social media. ;) #iykyk <3
A humble person doesn't always need to be right. They seek advice, remain teachable, and take on any task, however small, with kindness. Freely admitting flaws, they know their worth in Christ and forgive easily, releasing grudges as God's grace released them. Finally, a humble person practices gratitude, living with a thankful heart and staying aware of those with less. They find contentment in what God has provided and trust His goodness.
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