As the new school year begins, we have the last chance to look at the empty hallways and feel the quietness of the building. In a little while all of this will change. We will watch as students wander down the halls laughing, talking, and joking with their peers. We will see the smaller version of these students walking around with eyes full of fear and wonder. These are the freshmen or new transfer students. The atmosphere is full of excitement and hope that lasts for a few weeks as students get into a routine, find their friend groups, and acclimate to teachers and schedules. From the outside looking in, it seems that everything is going well.
Sometimes if we have connected with students and created a safe climate, these same faces are the ones that we get to know personally because they cross our doorsills into the four walls of wonder. These are the same faces that throughout the year will look tired, sleepy, spaced out, happy, excited, disillusioned, uncomfortable, lethargic, unassuming, angry, sad, and apathetic. These are sometimes the same faces where we may see the unraveling of the happy facade that walks confidently down the hall. We may witness the breakdown of students that suffer from self-induced stress or parental expectations. We may also watch changes in the mental, emotional, intellectual, or behavioral sides of students. We see all of this because we are invested in the relationship.
The academic year also brings about assignments like speeches, narratives, and graphic essays that allow students to share about themselves. These assignments provide outlets for students to share their passions, vulnerability, and humor. The results of some of these assignments bring much laughter and tears, but it sometimes uncovers the seriousness of an underlying problem: abuse, loneliness, depression, feelings of inadequacies, the impact of divorce, and mental illness. Some students may feel that adults see them as a young generation that does not think; is constantly irrational, lazy, and immature. Students may also think that adults see them as having nothing to offer the world. Young people feel trapped and marginalized by a society that does not see their worth. But we see it all!
As we step into the school year, let’s leave the aches, pains, discipline, fatigue, attitudes, and moods in the past and start anew. Let us be our best selves for our students and colleagues. Let us pray and give thanks for each and every student and faculty member that walks into this space. Let us be thankful and humble that the Lord has entrusted us to fulfill the assignment of molding young minds and serving as role models. Let us be determined to have a year with minimal turmoils that attack our young people through depression, mental illness, lack of emotional well-being, isolation, self-loathing, alcohol and drug abuse, and suicidal thoughts. We continue to fight so that these maladies do not find a home and take root in our students. Let us all remember that education is not only about teaching courses, but it is walking into the gifting and calling that God has given each of us. We are asking our students to recognize that the victory for their lives is already won and that they would not succumb to the temptations of immoral living.
As the doors fly open and the noise level elevates, let your hope and prayer be that our young people enter these halls with excitement and anticipation. Let them be filled with joy, and most of all let them exude peace. As educators, let us walk into these halls filled with love, positivity, and compassion. May our spirits reflect our best selves, and may we all support each other as we wear the many hats and accept the call on our lives to serve in our roles with patience, love, and understanding for students as well as for each other. May this school year be filled with blessings.
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