We Appreciate Our Teachers

As I laid in bed this morning before the sun came up, I felt the bed tremble.  I didn’t know what was going on but, let’s be honest, it could have been an earthquake here in Minnesota the way things have been going.  Thankfully, it wasn’t.

As I came to, I realized it was my wife, who’s been a teacher of first graders and kindergarteners for almost 20 years.  She was crying as the thought of not being able to close out the year the way she had imagined became very real.  This story plays out across schools all across our nation and all around the world.
 
We have all been grinding to try and figure out what this means for us and life as we knew it just a week ago.  Everything has changed.  I personally think we’ll come out better for it on the other side but “normal” will be a bit different.  It’s out of these challenging times we grow.  This morning, it wasn’t that the grinding was over.  Far from it.  Everything is new. 

Just the other day the Governor of Minnesota laid out all the things that need to be figured out now that schools are closing.  There’s food, childcare, emotional and behavioral support and much more.  Hearts ache caring for these kids daily since September and not knowing what their daily will look like for the foreseeable future.  The most structured and steady thing in our lives is closing until further notice.  Nobody knows what to do. 

This isn’t about that though.  This is about our teachers.  I see it every day, have for the last almost 20 years and will continue to through this challenging time.  I’ve got a front row seat and offer support whenever, wherever I can.  One thing you can be assured of is that our teachers and administrators are working around the clock to find solutions.  They’re not taking an extended spring break.  They’re meeting, organizing and trying to figure out how they are going to keep your kids on track for next year. 

My wife amazes me every day and it seems when things seem most uncertain, she digs in, leads with integrity and grace and makes those around her better.  The truth is, she’s not the only one.  Our teachers are our most valuable assets and it’s unfortunate it takes global pandemic to see and truly appreciate all they do.

Before the sun came up this beautiful spring morning the bed shook and courageous emotions prevailed.  My wife got out of bed, got ready for the day and headed to the front lines to organize what she thinks her students will need to learn at home for maybe the rest of the school year.
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Our education system will come out of this better for it and I am so proud of my Queen.  Teachers, I acknowledge you for what you do every single day and appreciate your efforts during this time.  You are doing enough.  Live today with relentless courage!