What's In Your Folder?

I was fortunate to be surrounded by incredible educators, early in my teaching career. Educators who cared just as much about teaching me as they did about teaching the students in their classes.   

Early Lessons:

Many of the lessons from my first year of teaching were rather predictable, such as how to respectfully communicate with parents and how to hold a storybook at just the right angle. Some lessons were difficult, like how to admit when you’re wrong and how to apologize to child.  Some were unexpected, like how to determine if a child has lice, or how to react when a family of mice runs across your countertop.  Some were infuriating like how to prepare thirty energetic third graders to take a three hour standardized assessment, the results of which would not be received until the school year ended. Many were difficult – like determining the best ways to prevent bullying or knowing how best to resolve conflicts before they escalated. Some were inspirational, like how to encourage those around you and how to put a positive spin on unpleasant situations.  And some lessons were heartbreaking, such as how to know when a child is hungry and learning when to call protective services. 

The truth is no matter how wonderful the undergraduate training, most of the lessons and experiences that shape a great teacher happen during the first few years on the job. Perhaps it is this necessary learning that binds a new teacher so closely with her first few classes.  After all, there is much to learn, making both the teacher and the children, students.

On my first day of teaching, my mentor teacher pulled me aside and asked me to describe how I was feeling. I told her how excited I was and how grateful I felt for this opportunity to do what I love.  When I finished, she smiled and handed me an empty folder. She explained that teaching was challenging and there would come a day when my zeal would fade. She told me to fill that empty folder with pieces that would remind of the excitement and joy I felt on this first day.  She suggested that I keep adding artifacts to this folder that made me feel valued and happy.

She was right. There came a day when I didn’t feel “lucky” to be a teacher. And there were days when I felt “less than” and it was on those days that this simple file folder – no longer empty- revived me.  Much of what I placed in that folder, at first glance- may appear worthless. Take for example a single, dried dandelion, presented to me for teacher appreciation week; this tiny flower is worth more than any bouquet because of the genuine love with which it was given. Every component of this folder reminds me of my initial excitement, of colleagues who patiently shared their wisdom, and of children who left me better for having had the opportunity to be a part of their educational journey.

Dedicated to Kathy Baldwin, who once gave me an empty folder and to Noelle Douglas who helped me fill it.