A charge to Teachers...

Here we are, the last day of Summer vacation. Tomorrow looms ahead, filled with visions of notebooks, freshly sharpened pencils and Mickey Mouse lunch boxes. They will never again be quite as ready as they are on that first day. They will never again be quite as anxious. A lot will be spoken over the weeks to come about what is expected of them as students, and what is expected of us, as parents. But, allow me for just a moment to share with you what I expect of you, as teachers.

I expect you to be kind. You are dealing with my most-prized possessions. They will have an enormous amount of respect for you, just for the role you fill in their small lives. Please, remember that, and know that you are shaping their very person. Be slow to shout and quick to hug. (P.S. I could probably use a little of this advice, myself. Duly noted).

I expect you to be excited. Fire is contagious. If you possess the knowledge that learning can be fun, why not pass it along? Children weren't made to sit behind a desk for seven hours a day. They were made to jump and play and run. If we, as adults can't even sit through seven innings of a baseball game without needing a "stretch", why do we expect so much of our children? Find a way to teach them what they need to know and allow them the creativity to learn it on their terms. Come into the classroom every day with a smile on your face. You may be the only smile they get. That is powerful information.

I expect you to love your job. (At least a little). Sure, I know there will be good days and bad, but hopefully you are able to remember the reason you decided to become a teacher in the first place, lord knows it wasn't for the money. You have the power to shape lives. That is huge! And, to be honest, you will see my children for more hours a day than their own parents. Make use of that time. Help them discover what you and I already know, that they are fabulous little people just waiting to learn!

Finally, I expect you to be grateful. I am giving you a huge gift. The gift of my trust and the gift of my children. If I could I would keep them at home forever, but in my thirty-five years of life, I've learned something. These magical little people that I call my children, actually aren't mine at all. And, they aren't yours. These children belong to God, and they belong to themselves. So, never take for granted the place you hold in their lives and the place you hold in the heart of their mama. Thank you for all that to do as teachers. I promise you, I'll do my best to exceed your expectations, if you would do yours to exceed mine.

Get some sleep. I have a feeling we're both gonna need it.