When Owensboro Parent told me the theme for this issue was back to school, I blanked. I had no idea what to write. What can you write about back to school right now – I am writing this on the 3rd of July – that will still be relevant when this issue comes out one month later?
We have seen rapid change over the last six months. I could recap what is going on but I know that’s the last thing you want to hear about right now. I just hope the murder hornets never made an appearance.
So yeah, a few things could happen between now and the beginning of school.
So I’m going to write about something that will always be true. I want to say thank you to all of the teachers and administrators and bus drivers and cafeteria workers and everyone else that keep our kiddos safe at school.
You all were literally thrown the most unexpected curveball you have ever been thrown, but you kept smiles on your faces and marched forward for our kids.
I can barely keep my family alive right now, so I’m extremely impressed, but not surprised. My mom has been a teacher since I was little. My husband was a teacher and is moving into his first administrative position this year. Two of my aunts were teachers. I’ve seen the crazy amount of dedication they put into their classrooms and the children that fill those seats.
And every time I walk into a classroom, I have flashbacks to helping my mom hang posters and put up bulletin boards for her second grade classroom instead of going to the pool. I would go to Wal-Mart with her as she bought SO MANY SUPPLIES with her own money. I watched her grade papers all night and make lesson plans. I saw her cry when anything bad happened to one of her students. And now I see her approaching retirement and being excited, but knowing that deep down she will miss those little faces.
So thank you teachers and all the others that play a role in their life at school.
Thank you for always being there for our babies.
Thank you for always making sure they have a pencil or markers or a glue stick.
Thank you for welcoming them every morning with a big smile and a warm hug.
Thank you for teaching them math and science and how to read and write.
Thank you for teaching them how to be good people and showing them you love everyone the same way.
Thank you for caring enough to realize my 5-year old needed a little extra attention here or there.
Thank you for sending me pictures of my child smiling and playing with his friends.
Thank you for letting him run and play and laugh and have fun.
Thank you for embracing his quirks and pushing him to use them in the best way possible.
Thank you for giving my child the knowledge he will need to be a good human.
Thank you for taking care of him at times that I can’t be there.
And thank you for continually showing up even though you have a very hard job.
So when school starts again, remember to thank your child’s teacher. They don’t know what to prepare for either. But they will be there to welcome our kids back to school, whenever that may be, with the biggest open arms that social distancing will allow.