American Education Week: TEACH

T = Teacher, E = Educate:

A = Adventure

Teaching is an adventure. Adventures come in many styles - some are challenging and some are merely exhilarating. Regardless of the type, adventures require an investment of time and energy. Each day in the classroom brings a new adventure.

Your day could be a mountain climb. One thing about climbing is that you can always see how much further you have to go, and a quick glance behind you shows you how far you have come. It’s a test of mental and physical strength, and it can last for a few hours or a few days.

Your day could be a sail or kayak across a smooth lake. While this can be physically draining, it can be emotionally rewarding. These days remind you why you chose teaching as a career.

Your day could be a rigorous hike or bike trek. These days seem like they last forever. Some are marked with pit stops along the way of small challenges.

You day could be a fast downhill ski run. Your day goes by in a blur and your feel as if you spent the whole day trying to avoid the trees.

Whatever the adventure your day in the classroom brings you, the difference you make in the children you teach is the ultimate reward. 

Thank you for embarking on new adventures in the classroom every day.  

Continue your professional development adventure by keeping up with new teaching skills and concepts by enrolling in Pepper Courses.

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Special Interest: Teaching after a Natural Disaster

Recent floods in South Carolina bring into question the continuing of education after a natural disaster. How does one carry on with teaching and instruction in the midst of recovering from a natural disaster? South Carolina, while the most recent, is not alone in this struggle. We’ve either read about, or experienced, blizzards in the Northeast, tornadoes in the Midwest, and fires in California, just to name a few. Schools may close for a few days - or even weeks - but they will eventually reopen and teachers and students must get back to work in the classroom.

An edutopia article, posted after 2012’s Hurricane Sandy pounded the Northeast, discusses the importance of equipping students with Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. Students and teachers may be dealing with “awaiting the return of power, finding gasoline, wondering how to get to and from work [or school], worrying about parents and other family members who are stranded, dealing with displacement of a temporary or permanent nature, or some combination of these.”

Teachers and students both will come back to school after possibly suffering traumatic and devastating loss and destruction of personal property. The National Association for School Psychologists (NASP) has published Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families: Information for School Crisis Teams, to assist teachers, students, and families. This informative article gives specific information for dealing with issues resulting from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods. Additionally, this publication provides information for School Crisis Teams, including the following points:

• Identify children and youth who are high risk and plan interventions
• Support teachers and other school staff
• Engage in post-disaster activities that facilitate healing
• Emphasize children’s resiliency
• Support all members of the crisis response team
• Secure additional mental health support

Matt Davis, freelance writer for edutopia, makes the following statement in his article, Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators, “When tragic events happen, it can be difficult for educators, administrators, and parents to know how to help children understand and cope. How adults manage their own reactions, as well as how they help students deal with their questions and feelings, are important factors in providing children with the support and guidance they will need. “ You can find additional resources in this article.

School and education will continue. Teachers will continue to support and guide students. We will move forward and continue to encourage one another one day at a time.

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