I stood on the stairs leading up to the auditorium, thinking about the introduction I would give for the musical group that was going to perform during the assembly. Then, as I looked to my left, I saw her outstretched arms. I was confused for a second seeing my colleague, and then I saw him run up to her and embrace her joyously.
This student wasn’t worried about what it looked like to his friends for him to hug his mother, a colleague. More important than anything else, they were happy to see each other.
One of the features of our school is that there are children of employees who go to our school. Little moments like these are wonderful. It’s beautiful to see my colleagues switch to the role of a parent, and it’s heart-warming to see students have a moment of comfort and connection with their parents.
*****
“Can we do it again?”
We had just finished working on our dance for “What Else Can I Do?” I was out of breath, and the day was catching up to me. This was my busy day, and I had taught very active lessons throughout the afternoon. I thought to myself, “Are you kidding me? I’m getting too old for this?” But then I saw the smile in one of my student’s eyes as she heard a classmate make the request that we dance one more time.
It seems silly, but sometimes I get annoyed when my students ask me to do something again. I’m thinking about moving through the lesson and ensuring we accomplish what I had planned. However, sometimes the positivity and will of the students lead me to think, “screw the lesson plan.”
“Sure,” I said softly, and the class cheered in approval. I couldn’t help but smile as I gathered my strength, and we danced again.
*****
It was the first time I had a class with my 4th graders as we went masks-optional. It was a weird day. I had no idea how to approach and process this new reality of teaching with some instruments with masks on and some with masks off. So I decided to approach my lesson as I had previously planned. Part of my lesson was wrapping up the unit on “Lift Every Voice And Sing.”
I asked my students to stand up. I looked out at my students. Some of them wear masks, and some of them do not. I wondered if I should say something before we started, but I shook off the feeling and started the piano introduction.
I gave a breath to start the class singing, and then they lifted their voices and sang louder and clearer than I have ever heard a class of students singing in a classroom in over two years. The sound felt like the sun shining on a spring day. In a time of great turmoil, anxiety, and uncertainty, it was a moment of clarity, connection, power, and hope.
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