That's okay, though, because we only want to be a stepping stone to the rest of their forever, to the hope that they will all lead good lives, lives that are bigger than 8th grade.
But sometimes, the bigness of it can be overwhelming. When kids are bullied in ways that go beyond just getting picked on, when you worry that they won't make it long enough to remember that middle school is not their real life, it's heart breaking. We were all picked on in school, I'm sure. We were all on the side of picking on someone, too, I'm sure. Once in 8th grade, someone wrote BITCH on my locker in white out. I probably deserved it. But, this didn't happen every day. I had friends to help me clean it off my locker. I got over it, because it wasn't my every single day. For some kids it is.
This year, I've been witness to some of the worst cases of bullying I've ever seen. Ones that stick with you, ones that make you wonder how the hell kids can get so screwed up in the first place, ones that have me reaching for tissues, running to the principal's office because I know it's out of my reach. As always these days, my mind goes to my own boys. How I pray they'll never be mercilessly picked on. Or worse, how I pray that they'll never be the ones mercilessly picking on their peers.
I pray they'll understand that life is big and small. That those years of growing up are so fleeting. I pray they'll have the courage to walk alone when needed and the courage to stand side by side when the time is right.
Mostly, I just pray that they make it through the small, yet very, very big years of their lives unscathed. I wish that every kid in the world had someone praying this for them. I wish that every kid knew that somewhere an adult does care for them and that this life has so much to offer, because it does.
19 comments:
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo times infinity.
To you and to all those kids.
This was said so perfectly. And, also? What Cameron said. :-)
i wish the same thing.
Exactly.
yes. to everything.
Breaks my heart, but also gives me hope that there are teachers out there like this in every school looking out for the little guys always getting picked on.
This is an amazing post. My brother was bullied almost to the breaking point in middle school...it was because of one great teacher that he survived. I truly believe that teaching middle school is a gift. It's a difficult time, and it takes VERY special people to be able to understand and relate to these kids. I don't live by you, and you don't know me, but I sincerely thank you for the work that you do. It doesn't go unnoticed.
I am in my 4th year of my BA/BEd to become an elementary school teacher. I think you just inspired me to change my course and become one of the stepping stones. You are amazing.
-Cate
Erin, one of my most beloved teachers was an 8th grade science teacher. He was absolutely fantastic in every way, and I learned so much in that class.
You guys aren't forgotten, but perhaps you are the ones that change us and shape us for the long run.
And, as for the bullying...it's terrible, seemingly more terrible now than it ever was, and it's just so sad. I pray that the children getting picked on have the courage to stand up for themselves. I know how hard it is.
Wonderful post.
Erin,
I was bullied to almost my very end in middle school, and it was my teachers who helped me and kept me going as strong as possible. Those three teachers are forever in my heart and whenever I am in my hometown I go back to say hello and thank you.
I always think of you when I think of them, and of them when I think of you. Teachers are amazing people and I can't thank you all enough.
In fact, I just paused writing this comment to look them up and send a thank you. It's been 8 years since the last one, and that's too long.
And thank YOU. Thank you.
i think about my grade school teachers often .. some with love others not so much .. but know i am back there volunteering my time and some are still there and couldnt be any nicer now.
teachers are incredible people and i tip my hat to you all. as my nearly full school year of gym teaching is ending soon (twice a week the first half only once a week the second) idk if i could handle it every day.
ive seen bullying and always try to step in and explain why it is so wrong .. i have no real expertise in this field .. but i cant imagine something happening and knowing that i couldve said something and didnt.
great post .. thank you :)
Awesome post.
You're an awesome teacher.
And an awesome mom.
And just all-'round awesome.
God chooses very specific, special people to guide middle schoolers. I'll never forget Mrs. Davis, I had her for 6th grade math and then became her teacher's aide in 8th. For some of us I think our anchor got thrown down in that stage... I think mine did. I can't recall ANY of my highschool teachers (or friends, really), but remember so much about Mrs. Davis & Mr. Fessler (both now passed away) and how they got me through those times. (But I know so many people only recall high school years. Weird.)
You're the passageway BUT I promise you, your intentions are known and they won't forget. Even if their memory fails, you know their hearts won't. xoxo
Steph
PS I always thought I'd be paralyzed with fear to send Noah on to middle school but I am ready to take it on. No need to start worrying now, I am going to just fight it as it comes (hopefully it won't) and we will get through.
Steph
I know the Mr. Fessler of which Steph speaks...and he was an amazing gift to middle schoolers. And so are you....and those other teachers who put their heart and more into their jobs. Sometimes we who work in middle schools get overwhelmed by the bigness of our students' issues. And it is easy to be discouraged. But, it is important to remember the lives that you touch and make a difference in....see their faces and even if you don't ever get that thank you, you know know that you have made a difference.
mrs. hill.
my 6th grade teacher and my most favorite teacher ever. she read beezus and ramona to us during study hall. it was one of the BEST memories in all of my years of school.
she was amazing.
YOU are amazing.
Thank you for this. You are an amazing woman. Your students are lucky to have you. I was one of those kids that was mercilessly tortured in middle school. I survived thanks to my geometry teacher - he let me read in his classroom during lunch so I didn't have to be exposed to my abusers unsupervised. I turned out just fine in spite of all that and I hope my new son ends up with teachers as great as you and Mr. Sharp.
I wish every kid in the world had someone praying that for them too. Right through high school actually. I don't see it as much in high school but I know it's there. They are just not as straight forward about it - and a lot has gone digital.
I was at a 3 hour professional development Monday night (after a full day of work - ugh) that was SO BAD I got my iPod out. I passed this post around to a few of my friends and then had them read the post about how you are feeling as a teacher and they agreed with both. Then we had a much more productive conversation about both posts instead of listening to the horrible speaker - so thanks for that. ;-)
I think of this often -- the bigness and smallness. How they simulataneously collide. In almost every stage of life. So glad you are being a voice of wisdom, a hand guiding gently the small, yet big ones.
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