This August marks the first time in my life (since I was pre-school age) that I am not preparing to go back to school either as a student, a teacher, or both. Even though I won’t be in the classroom, I’ve got some Back to School Advice to share.
After leaving teaching last November, I haven’t thought much about losing my identity as a teacher except for a brief mourning period when I tried to adjust to a life that didn’t include lesson plans but did include unlimited bathroom breaks, and stopped telling jokes that only 14 year-olds like (okay, maybe I still do that).
However, now that it’s officially back-to-school week, I’m reflecting on my years of teaching and how I feel in my first August as a non-teacher.
Here’s what I’ve got to say:
To the students (both my former students and those of you who are just starting your high school careers):
Your teachers can’t compete with celebrities, so don’t make them.
-Take your freaking headphones out. I know that Ariana Grande’s voice is more melodic than your English teacher’s, but she knows a lot more about writing so people will take you seriously. And grammar. And literary criticism. Ditto for all your other teachers and their respective subjects.
Your bathroom habits are atrocious.
-I could complete a full wardrobe change in the time it took some of my former students to use the bathroom. Yes, teachers have to share bathrooms too, and in the seventy-three seconds I had where I could safely leave my room before my freshmen students would arrive and begin pummeling each other, I had to sprint down the hall, (usually) wait in line, and then enter the shared bathroom, which often featured makeup smeared on the walls in the same manner you would imagine monkeys smearing their feces at the zoo.
-In a shared one-stall bathroom is not the time to: check your Instagram, Snapchat your friends, play any sort of game, or redo your makeup…take care of that in math class…(just kidding!)
Be a kind person…to EVERYONE.
-Your teachers are people too. They are going to lose their tempers occasionally. If they apologize to you, they are one of the good ones. You know how when you fight with your sister in the morning and you skulk into your first hour class and glare at everyone? Your teacher sometimes has an equally terrible morning/day/month, but they can’t pull their hoodie over their heads or put their head down on their desk, no matter how much they might want to.
-Everyone is probably struggling in some way, but everyone is just trying to do their best and create a supportive community. Even when you’re having the worst day possible, try to show up as a caring human being.
Your teachers remember EVERYTHING. (Except what day it is and occasionally your names.)
-A.K.A. “People will always remember how you made them feel.” I have no idea what her grade was in my class now that it’s been four years, but I still remember the girl who made fun of my skirt while I was starting class one day. Luckily, enough people made fun of my clothes in grade school that this didn’t bother me as much, but it took me right back to my own days as a freshman in high school when girls with more money ruled the hallways in their Abercrombie sweaters. Whew, deep flashback. If I were still a teenager, this would’ve wrecked my day. Think about what you’re saying to and about the people you have to spend each day with.
-I will also always remember the students who cheered when I told them I was engaged and who asked if they could be in my wedding party. Hilarious. This goes along with the point above about being kind. This also should be a reminder that if you are asking for extra credit, a second chance on a project, or an extension on a deadline, you should have been treating your teacher with kindness all along. I guarantee your teacher will remember the extra effort or the lack thereof when it comes to crunch time.
Some of you are hilarious and it makes it hard to discipline you.
-I can’t count the amount of times I laughed so hard I cried in class. You high schoolers are funny little people, you are. Thanks for all the laughs. Although students were sometimes the worst, they also were truly the best part of the job. I still miss a few of them. (Especially those who brought me coffee and chocolate. Thanks guys; hope your lives are going well.) 🙂
To the educators:
You are not alone.
It might seem like your classroom is an island when you are standing in front of 30 lion-like freshmen asking them to be quiet for the hundred and twelfth time as you explain directions, but remember that you have an entire staff of fellow adults on your side. Ask for help if you need it. Stay after the bell and commiserate when you want to. (Just make sure the hallways are clear before you walk into another teacher’s room and start swearing.)
You deserve to be human.
As a teacher you are called to do and be so many things to so many people. This is not me complaining; this is me acknowledging that your job is tough and demanding and you need to take care of yourselves if you are going to be able to continue doing it well. Sometimes you need to leave as soon as the bell rings. Sometimes you need to be less available for a few days. That does not make you a bad teacher. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will get burnt out and everyone involved will feel pretty terrible.
Go for a walk during your lunch once in awhile instead of helping students catch up on late work while you halfheartedly shovel some chips into your mouth. Shut your door during your prep, turn on music you like, and actually drink your coffee while it’s hot. Look at cute animal memes in between classes on a particularly hard day. (This one always worked for me.) You can’t always be a perfectly organized, perfectly happy person. That’s not real life. Again, this does not make you a bad teacher.
What you do matters.
Keep on fighting the good fight. You work harder than anyone else I know for a lot less credit. You deserve more money, more leisure time, and nothing but the nicest students, parents, and colleagues. I wish you joy and success in the future and continued staff snack days forever.
Have a great year, everybody! 🙂
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