What Does "Back To School" Mean for Teachers?

The following blog was written by Bree Stillings. While Mrs. Stillings helps with a millions things at Carson, the most important thing to note for this blog is that this year will be her 10th going "back to school!"

Every August 1st, teachers across the country scream, "Say it's not so!" as their relaxing, rejuvenating, recovering summer winds to an end.  I myself am one of those having had an amazing summer.  I have taught French to Haitian kindergartners, trained their faculty in best practices, and taught a 12 year-old how to play Tic-Tac-Toe who was formally the most popular male prostitute on the streets of Cap Haitien.  I have "flipped" over Capturing Kids Hearts and I have become a trained "gamer" of learning goals.  I have also had to put my dog and best friend of 13 years down.  On August 1st, the reality of Back To School (a.k.a. Back To Work) begins to set in and the stress of all the changes start to haunt nightly sleeps.  It is true; no two years in education have ever been the same.  Conversations over new team members, new standards, new administrations, new state laws, new equipment, new workshops, new plans, new hours, new personal lives, new positions, new goals, or new inspirations have always guided August through a mix of stress, anticipation, and excitement. 

August 1st, also paints another image we can't escape. Whether through our own lives or through the eyes of social media, Back To School means a new layout for the front entry of Walmart, sales at Kohl’s, Belk’s, and Sears, commercials with school bus images in the background, and PICTURES.  Yes - the pictures! Get ready Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.... because its about to be the First Day of Kindergarten for someone.  Cue the new outfit, the new book bag, the new lunch box, and the chalkboard sign standing by the front door saying "First Day of Kindergarten” or first grade, or second grade, or senior year.  For every student across the nation it will be their only everFirst Day of High School (at least that's the intention, insert educator roll of the eyes - LOL).  

As professional educators we easily loose sight of the milestone of the First Day of School because we are wrapped in the conversations of what to change, how to adapt, and what will improve scores this year.  It is definitely important to acknowledge changes and improving this year's results - but not on the first day.  Allow the first day to live up to the mysticism that it has in every child's mind.  While we educators were off traveling, attending workshops, redesigning curriculum for the whole year they have thought about this one single day all summer.  Fill the first day with the passion they are expecting by inspiring a love for the learning process and modeling a love for their classmates with complements.  You have been loosing sleep over strategizing how you are going to get that new standard in before testing and they have been loosing sleep wondering whether or not you'll like them.  Answer that concern and drop their anxiety on the best and most remembered day (and photographed day) of their life, The First Day of School.  Let's all take a moment to relish the distinct honor that we will play in that family's photo album.  Looking at their collage of "First Day Pictures" they will one day be able to recall - "Oh that's the year I had Mrs. Covington, she was my favorite. The next year I had Mrs. Lambert, I still love her."  Or you are part of the memories when the student is standing by their car and the caption reads on Facebook "First Day of Senior Year" while all mom and dad can think about is "Who will keep my baby safe now?"  Regardless of the year, each and every student walking through our doors will be somebody's baby experiencing their First Day EVER of _______ and their ONLY First Day of __________. 

So whether you are getting ready for your 1st First Day of School, your 10th, or your last remember to have the conversation that over 20,000 Rowan-Salisbury School children are going to experience their First Day of __________ for the first and only time with YOU on August 24th.  YOU are part of the outfits, the lunch boxes, the book bags, and the chalkboard signs that will flood the Internet.  YOU have that privilege!  I wish I could give every single one of them and every single one of you a giant hug and say like every mother will do to their baby this month - "Be Brave, Good Luck, and I love you!"

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