Starfish Story--You are making a difference!

Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.  Depending on where you teach (state, county, school district) your first days, weeks and months may be 100% virtual, 100% in person or a blend of both.  

In a typical start to school, it is easy to get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to.  However this year --we have So. Much. More added to our "back to school year plate." 

Therefore, it is of upmost importance that we spend some time reflecting on "why" we chose this profession.  Each year I elect to read (and keep posted in my classroom) a poem adapted from Loren Eiseley's work titled "The Starfish Story."  It is a perfect message for teachers to recall why we do what we do.  We are here to invest in youth.  Invest in our future. 

Often I present professional development to first and second year teachers, and I like to give them this poem as they leave training.  Attached to the poem, I glue a small plastic starfish to serve as a reminder  of our true purpose in education.  I know first year teachers will reach point in the school year when teaching seems too hard and they feel as if they are barely keeping their head above water.  My hope is that they will look at that little starfish,  and take a moment to refocus and realize the impact they are making. 

If you would like to share "The Starfish Story" with your colleagues, click the first image above or click below to download the poem for free.  If you are wanting to hand out little starfish--I purchased a 30 pack of of starfish from Amazon for under 10 dollars.  You can find the plastic starfish by clicking here.