A few days ago, I walked into a conversation between my 9 year old, Ian, and my 6 year old, Emily.
"School is EPIC, Ian!"
"Emily, I know that. That's not what I'm talking about!"
I also do not know what they were talking about, but I was astounded by how it was not even questioned that school is an incredible place to be! They were so casual, and it was obvious that school could be nothing other than cool.
They do go to a remarkable school, Degan Elementary. They can't wait for Eagle Shuffle and Club Fridays, and they adore their teachers. Adore them.
So what happens when they advance to high school? Will my babies lose that love? Will school decline in epicness? The thought makes me sad. But I see it. I see it in my juniors who are distracted by the drama of life - the real kind like working to help the family survive or caring for an ill parent or worrying about their own health. I see my tutoring kids who feel destroyed by the thought that they just may have to take that test again. And again. And maybe again. I want to fight that sadness and struggle. I want to see my students smile. I want them to feel valued. I want them to find their confidence as readers, writers, and as people, and I want them to know that school is a place that can support them and encourage them.
I want them to know that school is still epic.
"School is EPIC, Ian!"
"Emily, I know that. That's not what I'm talking about!"
I also do not know what they were talking about, but I was astounded by how it was not even questioned that school is an incredible place to be! They were so casual, and it was obvious that school could be nothing other than cool.
They do go to a remarkable school, Degan Elementary. They can't wait for Eagle Shuffle and Club Fridays, and they adore their teachers. Adore them.
So what happens when they advance to high school? Will my babies lose that love? Will school decline in epicness? The thought makes me sad. But I see it. I see it in my juniors who are distracted by the drama of life - the real kind like working to help the family survive or caring for an ill parent or worrying about their own health. I see my tutoring kids who feel destroyed by the thought that they just may have to take that test again. And again. And maybe again. I want to fight that sadness and struggle. I want to see my students smile. I want them to feel valued. I want them to find their confidence as readers, writers, and as people, and I want them to know that school is a place that can support them and encourage them.
I want them to know that school is still epic.
Steve, it has been so long. Where are you?
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