I came across an old column written years ago about heading back to that world of structure we call "school days."
Throughout the decades of writing this column I have gone from a "stay-at-home" mom to a teacher to an instructional coach working toward the end of that journey. From each perspective this time of year has always been exciting and challenging.
That glorious day when the children go back to school and the house returns to some semblance of normalcy. Of course, that is when homework begins to barrel in, and the after school appointments are shoved into the day. Sporting events and practices kick into gear. The alarm begins to go off at an alarming early hour, and heavy eyelids greet us in the mirror. Words get shouted down the hall like "Brush your teeth!" "Find your book bag!" "Who wants eggs?"
The great thing about summer is we are given that extra time to rest. We get that time to get things done, or simply make lists and procrastinate about getting them done. We get that extra time to take a breath. Then when school gets back into session, all that extra time evaporates with the changing season and life as we know it falls into the daily grind.
I once had a teacher pick on me the first few days back at school because I was in and out of my classroom at every opportunity. I couldn't explain what I was going through after having the summer off from work. It was a type of claustrophobia. I was like a cat stuck on a roof when forced to remain in one place for seven hours straight.
Having said that, can you imagine what children feel like after getting to sleep in, hang out, watch TV sitting upside down on the couch, and randomly swim, play ball, climb trees? They now must sit at a desk for seven hours a day and pay close attention. Keep their hands to themselves and wait for recess to talk with friends. And teachers have to muster the patience to help them acclimatize back into that world while having back to school foggy brains themselves.
I love the world of education, but from the perspective of an adult making the same shift it is difficult to reprogram. Planning out summer days requires no planning at all. And what little planning takes place happens with a fresh mind having slept eight hours straight uninterrupted.
Back to school is a crazy time of year. It is an energy-filled hump that we all must bump right over to get into that enjoyable fall filled with holidays and Friday night football games. And it could be worse. Think of all those teachers getting the double whammy of dealing with their own children and then returning to work to do the same with students. Teachers don't get paid enough.
In the end, as a grandmother I found myself shopping for school clothes for the grands. Hitting up Sams and loading up on school snacks for their pantries. Picking up school supplies I stumbled across on sale like some robot sniffing August winds and automatically jumping into gear. And I did it with excitement for the boys starting up another year of learning and growth.
This rite of passage may be a bumpy, groggy one, but none the less back to school will always be its own season much celebrated.
Thank you, teachers, for all you do!
