Puzzles
Spring is my absolute favorite time of year. The changes that happen outside—spring flowers poking through the thawed ground, robins reappearing, the freshness in the air each morning—it all brings a sense of much-needed renewed energy after what now seems like a short winter—though we know it was anything but short! In schools and on campuses, annual celebrations begin—awards ceremonies, proms, graduations, and more. And for MEA, we have our annual Representative Assembly and awards banquet as work continues in the state house and in membership meetings—in person!—around the state.
This year, for too many educators, the renewal of energy that comes with the season is needed even more than in the past few years. Not only have the shortages continued to be a challenge for just about everybody, but also a small but loud group has continued spreading untruths and even targeting individual educators for supporting all students. While it may at times seem that the comments they make at school board meetings are the opinions of many, it is not so. Survey after survey as well as the numerous conversations educators have with their students’ parents and others clearly show that our communities do support us and the hard work that goes on in our schools and on our campuses. The great majority appreciate your ongoing dedication to our students as you help them learn about the world around them, about themselves, and support them as they discover their potential and meet with success.
Students are a bit like jigsaw puzzles. As they grow and expand their horizons, they are discovering different parts of themselves and how it all fits together to make a complete person. We educate and support them as they piece together their own individual and unique puzzle. Our schools strive to offer them the opportunity to find each and every ‘puzzle piece’ that they seek as they complete the picture.
As a child, I loved doing jigsaw puzzles (I still do, but I’ll hold off on the hobby until I’m retired since I know I would neglect too many other things once I start one!) But sometimes, one of my older sisters thought it was amusing to hide a piece or two of the puzzle just so I couldn’t quite finish it. There would be this almost complete picture, but with something missing, causing more than a little frustration. (My relationship with my sister has improved since then!)
As educators, we want to offer all the potential puzzle pieces that we can for our students—whether it is a variety of strategies and materials to support their learning, an array of subjects and programs to explore, and yes, the world of information that we make available in our classroom and school libraries. Holding back what any one child might need to become their complete self, to complete their ‘puzzle’, whatever shape, size, or color the piece may be, would only result in a child feeling like something is missing, that they are excluded.
Alright, maybe my use of a puzzle image here is not the perfect analogy, since we hope for our students–for us all, in fact–to be lifelong learners who continue to discover and grow. Regardless of my ability—or lack thereof– with analogies, I do hope that as spring turns to summer, you all have a well-deserved break from the work you do each and every day for and with our students. If I could present each of you with an award in recognition of the invaluable work you do in striving to provide an array of ‘puzzle pieces’ for students, I would most certainly do so. You deserve that and so much more! Thank you for carrying on, even in the face of tough times. Your persistence, resilience, and dedication are appreciated by many—by your students, by your MEA colleagues, by your communities, and most of all, by me!
In Unity,
Grace
