Doing Good

Teachers are known to be a profession of caring people.  We are asked to do a lot of different jobs and many of them require us to provide care and support.  We are often the first to volunteer to help.  

Wouldn't it be great if the whole world was like that?

What we see isn't anything like that.  The news shows us hurting one another.  We often see images of people walking away from helping their fellow man.  We see finger pointing, but not often a lot helpers on the news.

But when we do see people helping...it is glorious.  It reminds us of the good that is still out there.

Last week was the 50th anniversary of Fred Rogers' first "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" episode airing on PBS (and tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of his death).  Articles and snippets last week talked about the ground breaking things Mr. Rogers did on TV and how he touched so many children.  He was a giver.  He was a care taker.  He sprang into action when our country needed him.

(I wrote a blog a few years ago about Mr. Rogers...here is the link to that: https://theblackboardofeps.blogspot.com/2014/03/)

There are definitely days when we feel like we could use some of that good.  He taught us to be good...to do good...to spread good...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-mr-rogers-rollins-tour-anniversary-scott-maxwell-20180220-story.html

This weekend I saw good in action.  While it is not a positive story with a happy outcome, I was witness to people who did not know each other, who had no connection to a family, do good.  You see...my little family and I went on a "staycation" this weekend.  Khloe had drawn a map of what she was going to do when we went to the pool, what time we were getting up, and where we were eating.  As we were enjoying our time together, we saw strangers spring into action to do good when needed.  I watched parents talk to their kids.  I watched families pray.  I watched people, including my husband, use training they had to try to do good.  I watched people come together.  It was heart breaking, yet beautiful all at the same time.

During this event and after, I used the words of Fred Rogers.  I said, "See all the helpers?  There are lots of helpers.  They are doing good."  

You are a community of helpers.  You are teachers, nose wipers, part time parents, entertainers, menders, tutors, mentors, referees, confidants.  All of these are overwhelming...but they allow us to do good in our schools.

You are doing good in our school.

In the above clip, I loved the statement Mr. Rogers makes about looking for the helpers lets you know that there is hope.  Seeing what I saw this weekend and what I see what you give to our kiddos,  I know that there is hope.

It's Ok to Laugh...Right?

There are days in the educational profession where you may a pick me up.  A strong statement to let you know you are doing the right thing.  I have shared with you many different inspirational people to follow.  People who know the right thing to post to help you through your day.  Many times the words they post are written over a picture that invokes calm and peace.  You like their picture, re-tweet, or even take a screen shot of it to save on our phone.

Then there are those "other" people I follow.

They are people like "Bored Teachers", "Gerry Brooks", "Teacher Misery", "Teacher Talks"...the list goes on.  They may have inspirational quotes.  Their quotes are not over a peaceful scene of the ocean, but rather in meme form.  They post videos about what it is like to be in the trenches.  It seems that what you are feeling, they are feeling...and so are about a thousand other people who liked their posts.  Are they warm and fuzzy posts?  No.  Are they blunt and honest?  Yes.  So I wondered...is it ok to laugh?  Is it ok to like these posts?  Does that mean I don't like education?  Does it make me a bad person?

One teacher I shared with you are the beginning of the year was Eddie B.  He teaches science, but is also a comedian.  His videos are hilarious and he is touring to sell out crowds of teachers.  Thousands of people are liking his posts.  Thousands of people are subscribing to his You Tube channel.  He is saying what educators are feeling.  

Steve Hartman of CBS "On the Road", did a story on Eddie B this past week.  He stated that he says what we want to say...he is verbalizing the frustrations we all feel.  Many times we think it may just be us that feels that way...but look at all the likes...all the teachers laughing.  They too felt it was just them, but it is not.  The stress, the frustrations, the joy...all teachers feel it.  Eddie is just putting it all out there to let us know these feelings are ok.  If you didn't feel these things as a teacher, you wouldn't be human.

He is telling us...it is ok to laugh.

So laugh.  Find people to make you laugh.  Find people who understand what you are going through.

Laugh.