Can't Adopt Them All

Last week, I was hit with a stark reality about one of my students who is in a dire circumstance. My response? I ran sobbing to my husband, "We need to apply to be foster parents now". Of course, he responded by researching the process that would take more time than we had in order to take this child into our home.

And then... perspective bounced us back. My husband used to tease me when we first started dating. "We'll need to buy a farm house to take in every one of your children." However, that is simply not possible. The reality is... I can only be a school mom. I can love my students and nurture them as best I can during the school day. But, we can't take in every single child who is in crisis. It's just not possible.

I always say I have one biological child and one hundred and fifty children a year. And that's true. I adore my pickles. But, there is only so much one teacher can do. Accepting those limitations is a reality so many teachers understand. I don't think there are many teachers who don't devote their entire beings to their students. We have a stash of granola bars and crackers, candy, tissues, band-aids on hand at all times. We spend our own money on our classrooms when we are paid pitifully. We come into school early. We leave late. We take on extra duties all the time. There is no limit to what we teachers give and give and give every day. I am not the exception to the rule.

Last week, I had to float to other teachers' classrooms to teach while we did a three day motivational training program at our school. It was wonderfully informative. To see the time, consideration and devotion other teachers put into making their classrooms inviting and beautiful was so inspiring. And seriously? If you think decorating concrete walls is easy... you just don't know.

And this is not specific to inner-city teachers. Last week, my son went on freshman retreat at his (very expensive, private) prep school. The first thing I did when we went to pick him up was to go to his teachers and hug them and say, "Thank you". Three days on a bus to an adventure with a gaggle of children, responsible for their well-being and directing them through this retreat was a thirty-six hour marathon. Good thing this weekend was Labor Day. They'll need an extra day just to restore themselves enough to walk back into the classroom next week.

I am just so proud to be a member of this club: Teachers Who Make a Difference. We can't take them home with us, but we can make their days brighter with smiles, love, laughter and devotion. And that will have to be enough.