It had been a tough day with the eighth graders, in part because of post-vacation doldrums, for all of us, but also because it was me who greeted them rather than their “official” teacher. In this case, the word, “guest” did nothing to soften the blow even if I don’t think I do such a bad job with them generally.
By the end of the day, I was beat. The last bunch had softened the frustration a bit. Such a good group of students they are and not too many of them at once which makes a difference! I left with a feeling that tomorrow I’d do a better job, and let the day go.
Except I had an online meeting scheduled for 6:30 that night. My professional organization will be offering an in-person conference in October, and while our last effort in November, 2023 was a stellar success, my worries about this one were keeping me up in the middle of the night.
As I began to review the agenda and complete the necessary preparation–I run the Zoom and as president, bear the overall responsibility–that low ebb that I’d staved off returned with a vengeance. I wanted to push it away, like a lion tamer with stool and prod, but that beast was undaunted.
The meeting began. Despite my mood, and to my delight, items we had been unable to decide, suddenly crystallized. (I think about the word “suddenly,” realizing that, of course, there was nothing sudden or surprising about this lucky result, not even lucky, if I’m honest.) Everyone had been doing the work they needed to do, and like bread baking, that resting period was necessary to create the satisfying outcome. (Why does it take so long to learn that lesson?)
My colleagues provided the heat to get me cooking again, and for their energy, I am grateful. As I closed our session, I told them that, how delighted I was to sign off and proceed with next steps after all they’d helped us get done. Those lines from Robert Frost’s “Dust of Snow” have been running in my brain all morning:
“…Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.”
He was talking about a small moment of passing delight. So am I.
(Thanks to Tammy’s Coffee Share and her prompt about delight. And to Two Writing Teachers for welcoming this community of writers every Tuesday. It’s National Poetry Month, and there’s a poem in everything!)
Jump off; Find Wings 
When everyone pitches in and does their part it is amazing how smoothly things go. We are getting ready for our October conference as well. Glad things went well for you.
I knew you would be able to relate!
I like the metaphor of bread rising – it is amazing how well things go when we all do our part. (it’s the yeast we can do, wink wink lol). You are gutsy to sub the day after spring break – kudos to you!
I am sharing that. My new motto: it’s the yeast we can do.
Trish, hear, hear! I always love how you take several topics and weave them together into a tapestry of a slice of your life. The eighth grade challenge (8th grade challenges jumped into my brain as I read about your day–future slices, maybe) and then the meeting and then the acknowledgment of the needed resting time to have all your ideas and work coalesce. I’m sure October 2024 will be a huge success again, with you all working so diligently on it. I love the inspiration from Tammy’s Sunday post, and the moment of delight you experienced and Robert Frost captured. Great new motto…it’s the yeast we can do. Haha!
I loved this line: “My colleagues provided the heat to get me cooking again, and for their energy, I am grateful.” Yes to heat and gratitude – a perfect combination!
And thank you for being a guest teacher – you make the world a better place and know kids & teachers are grateful (even if the kids don’t always show it!).