Go with the Flow

A sure indication that summer is almost over is the onset of school dreams. Are you having them, too? Upon waking, we begin to mentally set up the walls, student spaces, and learning spaces, and start itching to step foot into the spotlessly cleaned rooms to prepare for a new year.

Our aging school was due to receive a new coat of paint and new carpeting this summer. The principal just shared that it isn’t done yet and that we are not, under any circumstances, to enter the building until further notice. What?!

Allison’s article about attitude being everything couldn’t have come at a better time.

Instead of catastrophizing, which might have been my first inclination, I have taken Allison’s advice to heart, and (after taking a deep breath) realized that even if we can’t set up until school starts, it will be okay.

If students are greeted with warmth and love, empty walls don’t matter. And empty walls, when slowly filled with learning and student art, create community. There may be something even sweeter about building the space together, instead of inviting students into a space that has been meticulously completed ahead of time.

As long as we have books, paper, and something to write with, we can joyfully launch our love of literacy, becoming readers, writers, and lifelong learners together.

What bumps have you encountered? Missing curriculum? Getting a new student three days in a row? Discovering someone is afraid to use the bathroom because of automatic flushing toilets? (Yes, this one happened in my room.)

Students inherently pick up the energy we send forth. A positive attitude and heart of gratitude can help us go with the flow, and in return, keep our new students comfortably on the road to joyful learning.