It's our first week back at school- just teachers, the students start on Monday- and we have been so busy that I am beginning to wonder whether a mere weekend will be enough rest before the students do don the halls. There have been meetings upon meetings upon meetings in between getting our rooms ready. And then there was the registration/fees night on Wednesday. But the most amazing part of the entire process was during the faculty meeting on Wednesday morning.
At the end of the meeting, someone stood up and bared her soul to all of us. We have these surveys that we're always being asked to complete by district (they also ask the parents to fill these out) and the person who bared her soul stood up to talk because, apparently, some people say she's not that great at communicating. She also mentioned that some people say they can't read her and are not comfortable around her. So this person decided to confide in 60+ fellow educators.
She told us the story of her life from the time she was in first grade and her mother passed away through college. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. My eyes are not dry as I type this.
Through our tears (she would never want us to pity her, and we don't--some of us related others just felt helpless and we all felt so much love for her), and I feel sure that I speak for most of us if not all, we saw such character. We saw a strength that carried her through even when she didn't realize she possessed strength. We saw courage that I doubt she realizes she possesses even now. We saw a deep beauty, an independent woman, a gracious and forgiving soul and someone who took what life gave her and used it to the best of her ability. She rose above. Successfully.
Many of us left that meeting in some serious self-reflection.
What was her point besides explaining why some people might think she's standoffish? It was this:
That, often, we have experiences with difficult children but, if we realize that the majority of them are trying to discover how to deal with what life has given them, we can make a huge, positive difference in that child's life. And that is what we should strive for every single day.
Through it all, she puts our students first and foremost. Never dwelling on her own insecurities or trust issues. I am in admiration of this woman.
What's your experience with the baring of the soul?
Friday Fotos...
6 hours ago
I have a wall carefully tended. I bare nothing.
ReplyDeleteI am glad she felt safe enough in that room to share.
Gail- I don't either. But it certainly did make a HUGE difference. I do not possess that type of courage.
ReplyDeleteShe trusts you all and I'm glad to see that you realize that. What she did took courage and she is worthy of your applause.
ReplyDeleteI have bared my soul more here, on Blogger, than anywhere else, but my husband and my closest friends know my deepest secrets. Our experiences make us who we are. Keeping the wall up doesn't really help. Good post. Wishing you a class of kids who will absorb all that you give them this year! Bless you and teachers every where!
I keep the baring of my soul to about 1 or 2 friends, give or take 1 or 2. I've never thought that the world needed to know my problems or my life story. Someone once said, 'If they're not part of the problem or part of the solution, don't involve them.' I thought that was good advice. On the other hand, I do think it was nice for that teacher that she felt comfortable enough with all of you to 'bare her soul,' because she obviously needed to.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a very strong person to bare their sole. OR someone at the lowest of lows. I, sadly, have built a brick wall.
ReplyDeleteTeri- I keep my deepest limited to one friend. We've known each other since college and he is the only person in the world that I trust completely with everything and anything. And I'm so grateful for this friendship!
ReplyDeleteJudy- It was one of our fearless leaders who did the sharing. It was amazing. And I totally get why she felt the need. It was an eye opener for sure. But, for myself, I bare my soul to only one person. I do not possess that kind of courage.
Peanut Butter- It certainly does. I have that brick wall too. Although I do let one person in. But that's it.
That was so brave of her and her heart is definitely there for the children......
ReplyDeleteDebby- It was and you're also right about her heart. And we didn't realize it. I mean, we knew she was all about the kids but not to this degree of understanding. You know?
ReplyDelete