As an educator, some memories stay with me from each group of students. They include the funny comments that come with the innocence that brands the younger ones. They also include painful conversations that students share with adults they trust, perhaps the only adults with whom they feel they can truly confide. This year, my seniors will have been with me since they came in as 6th graders. As has been my tradition for far too many years, I included the “what if’s” in our first class together. The memory that stays with me from the Class of ’26 was their response when I asked them to point to the safest place in our room if someone was trying to break in. As if one, they pointed to the correct corner. No laughter. No smirks. Just pointing to the corner in silence.
Come tomorrow, I’ll go through the same routine and guide my students through the steps we’ll take, what I will expect from them, and what they can expect from me. To say that this breaks my heart each time I go through this minimizes the reality. Our kids deserve better. We, as the teachers responsible for providing them with the best education in the safest environment possible, deserve better.
Legislators, get your act together. We’re doing our job. It is past time for you to do yours.
peace,
Nan
NotesByNan 