Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.
Once the school year begins, teachers quickly get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to. The list keeps going......
This overflowing educational plate is all the more reason teachers should spend time reflecting on "why" they 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 they 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 all teachers 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 here to download the poem for free.
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