It's the First Day of School...Yeah!

New Pencils & Crayons The first day of school is an exciting time for parents, teachers, and or kiddos. The feelings and emotions compared to those on the last day of school are polar opposites, at least for me. To say good-bye to our kids on the last day of school is bittersweet. 

We, the teachers, are excited to see them grow and blossom into the beautiful butterflies they are designed to be the next year yet to watch them leave is also sad. The part that gives a teacher encouragement is the knowledge that next year's teacher is going to love, nurture, and teach our kiddos with as much vigor and warm fuzzies as us.  With this said, today was a GREAT day! We met our new kiddos and their parents today as the kindergartners joined us for their "bus run" this morning. It's a great way to introduce the kiddos, and the parents, to the bus and the school setting. As the kiddos cross the threshold into their career of learning, they have their biggest cheerleaders at their side...their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or guardian.  Read Alouds & Learning to Read Adventures & Learning Once inside the school, the look of amazement and wonder captured in these innocent eyes can take your breath away. Education is a blessing many take for granted, if only we viewed it through the eyes of a four or five year old as they enter school for the first time...imagine the change of attitude and desire to learn, to be the best each of us can be.

Yesterday, as the staff in my district joined together for our kick-off to the new year, I was encouraged, inspired, and motivated to be the best teacher I could be. The superintendent's message, our union's goal, and our building principal's message all echoed the same thing - relationships! If you think about it, to focus on relationships isn't something new. Actually, it's Biblical and starts back with Adam and Eve.  But I don't want to lose you so rather than focus on God creating Eve so Adam wasn't alone, I'll say this...we need other people in our life. Positive, healthy, and like-minded relationships provide encouragement, support, inspiration, rebuke, motivation, and so much more. 

Our superintendent shared the usual curriculum and data necessary to remind us we teach in New York State yet placed a personal and important spin on our educational role. He said there are only two types of employees in our district now, instructional staff and instructional support staff. It doesn't matter a person's job title when it comes to investing in the lives of others. There isn't a job or person more important than the next, we are part of a team working towards the same goal. 

In this case, schools are working towards the education, development, and growth of future generations to make our United States of America the best it can be, with a generation empowered to carry on tradition with new and informed decision making. We're not all called to the field of education in a school system but we are all designed to build up and train others. It's a matter of perspective. You have so many different relationships and opportunities to be a blessing, never underestimate where you are or the lives you touch.

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

What is your role in inspiring, empowering, educating, or encouraging the next generation?