We're Gonna Need a Bigger Box of Tissue (3.28.2017)

Disappointed.
Disheveled.
Dissatisfied.
Distraught.

The teacher walked into her colleague's classroom fighting back tears.

It was the end of the day. She was weary and worn out from the challenges of the day.

To make matters worse, she had been faced with a less than favorable classroom observation.

Another teacher has been verbally belittled and dismantled in front of his class by the school leader. As he mentally disconnected himself from the rest of the workday afternoon, some students reacted with empathy to the treatment the teacher had received, while others showed a certain indifference.

These are just two of many stress-inducing situations that some educators face.  However, what would you do upon hearing that such scenarios happened right in your school, whether it's down the hall or in the classroom next door?

In today's Education climate, where we are fighting on every hand to recruit new teachers while retaining the teachers already in place, one colleague cannot afford to have a "better you than me" spirit towards a fellow colleague.  In fact, we shouldn't feel that way towards any person (family member, church member, neighbor,etc.) or place (school district, city, etc.) that might be going through a short or long season of challenges.

Instead, you might want to keep a large box of Kleenex on hand and be prepared to offer a prayer, listen, advise, and wipe some tears away.

Remember:  It might not be your turn to cry today, but as my Granny would say, "Keep livin'...your turn will come soon enough".