Egg Shells

Is it the nature of the beast? Why does teaching feel like you are always walking around on egg shells. We must be considerate of students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. We do our best to encourage, mentor, and "lay it all out there" without putting our foot in our mouth. It's enough to make a person crazy! I have certainly learned (and I'm still learning) what to and not to say. That is an extremely difficult thing for someone who is open and wears their heart on their sleeve.

I often find myself wondering (or is it worrying?) -- did I say too much, too little or worse yet - the wrong thing?! Sometimes I wonder was I too harsh or too soft (I tend to lean the way of the former)? I always considered myself a fairly reasonable and diplomatic person with a little bit of sensitivity thrown in. Lately, I constantly ask myself if I'm being reasonable.

Kids have fragile hearts and minds, but at the same time can really turn the tables to try to get things to swing their way. Parents are either on your side or they are not. This I truly understand as I am a parent myself. All other people sometimes fall into the category of "not doing things against you but for themselves". I really do try not to take it all personally. As they say, "business is business" or in our case "education is education".

The thing is, I care so deeply for all my students, their success in my class, and their future. I know better than anyone what's coming around the bend and I pray they'll be ready. However, I need to remember that I'm not their parent - I'm their teacher. This is not easy for me. I'm such a "mom" and Lord knows, teenagers don't need another parent.

I think - and someone tell me if I'm wrong - the best policy is to always be honest and say as little as possible. I guess I should live and die by this policy! Will it ever be easy or become second nature? I sure hope so. It has to... I believe in my students and myself.