Teachers are Rock & Roll

I rarely take the time to write, as that is not quite my forte. I did want to share a bit of encouragement for my K-12 educator friends. Being a child of a 40-year public school teacher, I have nothing but admiration and respect for your commitment to public education, especially in these trying times. I do want to share a word of encouragement and advocate for your self-care. I comforted a former coworker & and friend last week, and I want to leave my connections with the same words I said to her:

You, my dear educator friends, are forces for good; greatness within the classroom and with many possibilities beyond. You are not just those kindly souls who taught us how to recite the alphabet or master Pythagoras's theorem. No, teachers are the rock stars of the educational world, the often unsung heroes armed with skills that don’t just stay confined within four walls. These folks can bust out moves beyond the classroom that would make most mere mortals quiver in their boots!

Let's start with the obvious. Patience. Have you ever tried teaching a kid long-division? Heck, have you ever tried explaining anything to anyone who's distracted by the latest TikTok trend? Now, imagine doing that for eight hours a day, five days a week. Patience isn't just a virtue; for teachers, it's a divinely appointed superpower. That same level of patience can help them navigate any job on the planet. Air traffic controller? A walk in the park. Surgeon? Just like cutting out paper dolls. Diplomat negotiating a peace treaty? Teachers do that every day during lunch and recess.

But there's more to teachers than infinite patience. These maestros of the mind possess some wicked multitasking abilities. Picture this: Ms. Jane O'Alltrades is updating announcements on the board, distributing a Powerpoint lesson, taking timely attendance, answering little Timmy's random question about penguins, monitoring sneaky cellphone usage, preventing a bullying situation, returning Google Classroom grades, all while secretly devouring her third cup of coffee. This isn't just a classroom; it's a juggling act at Cirque du Soleil!

Speaking of juggling acts, ever noticed how teachers can turn any situation into a lesson? Car breaks down? Let's learn about internal combustion engines! Waiting in line at the DMV? A fantastic opportunity to discuss the bureaucratic process; tracing its history from ancient civilizations to our modern-day. Suddenly, that dull, droning environment becomes a lively history lesson, touching on the evolution of administration and governance. Educators can wrangle knowledge out of thin air. If that's not being an innovative entrepreneur, I don’t know what is. While entrepreneurs see gaps in the market and fill them, teachers see gaps in understanding and knowledge and promptly bridge them. It's about spotting an opportunity where others see inconvenience or routine. In the grand tapestry of life, where every moment is a thread, teachers are the artisans who can weave them into stories and lessons.

Oh, and let's not forget about creativity. Teachers are the OGs of the DIY world. Give them a broken marker, a rubber band, a paperclip, and a dream, and they'll whip up an educational game that could engage even the most apathetic teen. Now apply that McGuyver-level skill to any industry, from advertising to engineering, and you've got a force to be reckoned with.

Put a teacher into a grocery store? They could turn an aisle of cereals into a lesson about marketing strategies, nutrition, or global supply chains. Drop them in a park, and suddenly it's a biology field trip exploring the local ecosystem. Their brains are wired to extract wisdom from every nook and cranny of life.

In the end, calling teachers "just teachers" is like saying The Rolling Stones was "just another band." Sure, they might be wielding red pens instead of guitars, but trust me, they're rocking out every day. Teachers have a repertoire of skills that could dazzle in any arena. So the next time you see one, give them a nod of respect. They've earned their place among the rock stars.

Hey, my dear educator friends... I'll always cheer you on in the schools, and will gladly hold your hand when/or if you are ready to step out to see what may lie beyond.

Rock on, teachers! Rock on!