You made it to break!
The longest stretch of the school year with no breaks? That’s *behind* you.
And we know it’s taken so much work to get here. Relationship and community building, teamwork experiences, new schedules, colleagues and procedures. When I was a fifth and sixth grade teacher I often made it to this break, or the next, until my body gave in to the many germs that swarmed me on a daily basis. Finally, my body would say: you slowed down enough to be sick just in time for the vacation days?
But my hope for you? Is that you can slow down and relax over the next few days. Be healthy, surrounded by friends and family (chosen, or otherwise), and take some time for self-care. Whatever that Thanksgiving self-care looks like for you.
Last week, as I traveled around to different Vermont schools, I was once again in awe of the complex, responsive and dynamic work of teaching. I saw a teacher surveying students about how to make school more engaging, then students starting projects based on the results. I saw teachers planning a community partner experience to disrupt stereotypical representations and ideas. And yet another teacher was writing a new student’s name on her door, while adjusting her instructional plan to focus on building collaboration and research skills. Yet another was building a playlist structure for math so her students could work at their own pace. See what I mean?
We here at the Tarrant Institute are incredibly thankful for the work you do on a daily basis. I know as I ponder all the things I am grateful for over the next few days, I will certainly include the many educators I call colleagues, friends, and change-makers in that list.
Be well. Take time for you, not just for your Aunt Tooty.