Teachers, We See You

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Steadfast
behind the mask,
the screen

The smiling,
warm
meticulously planned
leader of learning

Pulled
back and forth
with the tides of schooling

The imperfect,
weary
never feeling like enough
do-er of everything

You—
with your spark dimming
as you strain
under the surface

You—
whose first true glimpse of this thing
you always wanted to be, to do
was through a screen

You—
with twenty-five Septembers,
but none
that has felt like this

You—
who have learned,
unlearned,
and learned anew
We see you
and we are in awe
You—
who said, “AITE let’s do this”
You—
who said, “I’m afraid”
You—
who said, “I need help”
And You,
treading, breathless

You—
who saw a boy in a hoodie,
a man on the ground,
a woman asleep

And saw the faces in front of you
each day,
saw your role
in this sea change

Leader of learners
do-er of everything
rising tide of
Grief
Joy
Hope

What a year it has been

The way we speak to ourselves has a profound impact on the way we interact with the world. It can impact our actions, our relationships, and whether or not we achieve our goals. Using this mindfulness exercise, take the time to sit with your inner voice and notice how you speak to yourself.

Learning to fully accept yourself, flaws and all, takes work. This self-acceptance worksheet can set a course to understand how our weaknesses, fears, regrets, and shame hold us back and help discover how we can learn to live with what makes us unique.

“Experiencing gratitude serves our happiness. Expressing it reminds others how they matter.”

Adam Grant