We got that (#solTuesday)

Teachers are tough. We can take what’s put in front of us.

Nervous kiddos on the first day of school? We got that. We can kneel down to enter Kid Level, connect with heart and intent, tease out any worries or questions, provide knowledge to answer questions or soothe worries, gently distract with some interesting information or funny misdirect, and ease said kiddo into the classroom flow through the proverbial side door. Letting students know that they’re safe, welcome, and included? We got that.

Wildly spread out levels of academic ability? We got that. We can gather data, analyze data, consider kids’ individual needs and next steps, and make instructional plans that meet and support each student where he or she currently exists on that spectrum of skills and ability. 30 separate academic plans? Totally fine. We got that.

Wildly spread out levels of social emotional development? We got that. We can gather data, analyze data, consider kids’ individual needs and next steps, and make instructional plans that meet and support each student where he or she currently exists on that spectrum of skills and ability. 30 separate social emotional plans? Totally fine. We got that.

Ridiculous amounts of lists and reminders floating around in our heads? We got that. We can jot down those mental lists, increase the creation of those lists by at least fivefold, picture which tasks could go together with the intention of increased efficiency, cross off items as they are completed, and clear out the mental space that’s needed to start thinking about what we’re going to teach tomorrow. Providing ourselves little moments of perceived accomplishments and success? We got that.

The inevitable death of a class fish on the first day of school? We got that. We can double-triple-check, we can confirm, we can share memories, we can plan writing prompts, we can shake our heads and laugh at the amazingly unexpected long lifespan of Wiggle Dancer The Beta Fish, and we can have a quiet and respectful flushing ceremony after school. Exploring a life cycle and the resulting accompanying emotions? We got that.

Last minute unplanned ankle injury that limits our mobility and access right at the start of the school year? We got that. We can slowly maneuver the clunky aircast boot around seated children, keep ibuprofen on deck for aches and creeping pain, elevate whenever possible, and ice during recess while creating reading mats. Multitasking with the best of them? Yep. We got that.