For many, this season is their favorite. Despite the shortening daylight hours, the weather is beautiful—crisp mornings, blue skies, still warm afternoons with sun making the changing leaves glow even brighter. For us in education, this time of year is full of anticipation for the new academic year, excitement about meeting new students and seeing former ones, a bit of nervousness in those newer to the professions (but also for veterans), a lot of energy, especially as we are once again with students and colleagues, and yes, exhaustion, too. Each year I’ve been in the classroom, it seemed my voice gave out earlier and earlier during the first days—so much to say, to begin to develop new relationships and establish new routines, ask how others were, how their summer was, and share what I had done. The exhaustion those first weeks was always a good exhaustion I felt each evening as the year got underway.
And here we are—Fall 2021—nineteen months of a prolonged pandemic—adding ever higher levels of stress, worry, anxiety—and anger in some—to the usual mix of emotions we experience in education. In the media, at school board meetings, and in staff rooms, we hear conflicting opinions on topics we never used to talk about—masks and vaccines, being the top two, it seems. With all of this it may be hard to remember something we all–even those with differing views on these tough topics—do agree on: the importance of the work educators do, the central role in our society that public education plays, and how much we care about our students. Whether we teach, prepare their meals, keep their classrooms clean, or transport them each day—whatever our role in our students’ lives, it is a vital one. And students will remember us many years after they leave our schools and campuses.
Case in point—I’m hoping to attend my 51st high school reunion—the public high school in New York where my dad taught math for most of his 40+ year career. Like so many events last year, the 50th was cancelled, with the hope that this year, masked and with vaccination card in hand, at least some of us could gather, outdoors, to re-connect and reminisce. I had missed our 40th to be at an NEA Board meeting, being your NEA Director at the time, so I feel determined to get to this one, though I know it, too, may be cancelled at the last minute. As the date draws nearer, I find myself thinking a lot about the many educators who helped me along the way. I can see the faces and remember the names of so many—and they all had an impact, whether great or small. I would never have become a teacher myself (I saw firsthand how hard Dad worked, and for several years held multiple jobs to help his five daughters go to college) had it not been for Srta. Fewkes, my high school Spanish teacher, whose smile and enthusiasm knew no bounds, and also for Ms. Almes, my junior high algebra teacher, who was the strictest teacher you ever met, yet she melted at the mention of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Ms. Kuhlman, first grade, Mr. Birkelund in fourth, Ms. McPherson, Mr. Kirschner, Mrs. Chamberlain—so many more, they are all a part of who I became and who I am today.
And that is why we are educators—to help students become who they will become—that is what we all have in common, no matter our views on masking or vaccines or whatever. We are all in this because we have the desire to help our students grow and learn and become responsible, caring, contributing members of society.
As we face, yet again, the challenges brought by this pandemic, we must not let differing views divide us nor can we let them diminish our hope, the hope that is intrinsic to our professions. We must remain united, knowing that we can and will get through these difficult times. And know that MEA with the power of our union is here to support you and continues to work at strengthening connections and providing ways to keep you informed as we move forward.
In solidarity,
Grace Leavitt
President
Maine Education Association
207-622-4418 x 2200
