Teachers Save the World

TEACHERS SAVE THE WORLD

This is my son’s senior year. So far, classes have been canceled. Prom has been canceled. We’re anticipating that his Baccalaureate ceremony and graduation ceremony will probably not be far behind.

Making that loss even more profound is the fact that his class helped open his high school as freshmen, the only students in the school. A grade was added each year, and this year is the first they’ll have a graduating class.

TEARS AND CHEERS

It’s something I’ve been grieving for him, that he doesn’t really understand, not having seen any classes go before him. And until yesterday, I didn’t know that I’m not the only one. As he and I drove up to the school to pick up his cap and gown and graduation invitations, I realized that a whole other group is profoundly affected too. We rounded the curve toward the drop off lane behind the school cafeteria and were greeted with the sight of several teachers and counselors, cheering, holding up signs, and waving as car after car passed through. They greeted my son by name, from their socially-distanced posts and told him they missed him, told him to let his younger sister know that she was missed as well. They tucked a “Congrats to our Senior” yard sign in our back seat and sent us up the line to the masked and gloved people from Jostens, who handed out the green, gold and black packages with military precision.

And as I pulled away, I wept. For the efforts to make this special. For the loss that my son will remember and tell his own children and grandchildren about.

THE HEROES OF THE DAY

By the time we left the parking lot, my heart was swelling with gratitude. Because the heroes of the day were those teachers, who showed up – again – for my kids. The same way they’ve been doing since the beginning of this crisis.

Much has been made so far of the healthcare workers on the front lines fighting COVID one patient at a time. And rightly so. But in this moment, I have to say that teachers are going to go down in history for saving the world, too, during this crisis.

Every lesson plan, every zoom call, every assignment graded and returned, has created a sense of normalcy for our kids. Has created a routine and a structure that helps parents manage time at home with their kids.

And that? It’s invaluable.

TEACHERS – WE SEE YOU

Add to it the actual care and concern and I daresay even love that these teachers have for you kids and mine, and it’s enough to bring tears to my eyes – again.

If you are a teacher out there, know that you are seen and appreciated. Not because we parents don’t know what to do with our kids during this 24/7 enforced togetherness. Not because we’re stumped by the math they’re doing and are grateful you know how to teach them what’s what.

No. It’s because we see how much love you have for our children. We see how you are juggling all the things in your house AND helping us juggle what’s in ours. We see you learning new tech, adapting and modifying your instruction and still managing to connect in personal ways with your students even when you’re not face-to-face.

So thank you. Know that you are heroes. Understand that you’ve made this so much easier than it would have been otherwise.

We see you. And we’re forever grateful.