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?
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