Stay the Course

  

 By: Ivan Beach, Principal, Deane Bozeman School

It is Tuesday night. As I write these words, wildfires are raging in various parts of our state. A short distance away, the Northern corridor of Bay County is evacuated due to the perfect conditions for wildfires to ravage both life and property. The wildfires are following the path of the now infamous Hurricane Michael from October 2018 that left an estimated 72 million tons of down trees in its wake. Already strained from the aftermath of the hurricane and multiple years of pandemic fueled fatigue, my community is in serious need of a string of good luck and better fortune.

Although there have been many difficulties the past few years, this community is grateful to the local men and women, and those from all over the state who are working tirelessly to build fire breaks to protect property and those who are persevering the intense heat around the clock to extinguish the flames. 

There is also another group of dedicated women and men who are working tirelessly to help as well. Not just in Bay County, but all across the State of Florida, educators show up every day, to do very difficult work. Educators build fire breaks around student’s lives so that they can have six to seven hours of respite from their circumstances. Educators work tirelessly to extinguish the flames of crisis, poverty, mental health, loss, grief and a myriad of other issues that walk through the doors each day. These same men and women leave the walls of their schools each day and stare into many of the same issues their students are facing. They are tired and broken, yet they show up every day to do the hard work of educating students, mentoring students, loving students and growing students. 

The Comenius’ Oath, an ethical guideline for Finnish educators states, “as a teacher I am engaged in educating the next generation, which is one of the most important human tasks.” A more accurate description may not be found to describe the work of educators. Classroom teachers, professional school counselors, administrators and support personnel are all engaged in the work of educating the next generation, one of the most important of human tasks. In my experience, so often the work of education cannot be engaged upon because the work of extinguishing life’s issues often overshadows the process of learning. While these issues may be the norm, the fact still remains that the world needs us, our country needs us and most importantly, our students need us. They need us to show up every day with whatever tools we may have to help tamper the wildfires that rage in their lives.

Many of you reading this short post may be preparing to embark on one of the most revered of all holidays for educators, Spring Break! As you take time away from the responsibilities of school, take time to reflect upon why you work in education, recall why you love the responsibility, and recognize the value of what you do every day.

A fire break can also be described as a barrier, a buffer zone or a guard to prevent a wildfire from overtaking property. As an educator, you have the ability to be the same help in the life of a child. Continue the work of building buffer zones so your students can experience solace. Help them develop barriers to shield them from the immense problems that life often deals without warning. Guard them with all the love and protection you can muster, so they can thrive under your watch. 

You are valuable and what you do every day is of great worth. Stay the course and continue to invest in students as you build a better tomorrow in the work you do today.