Summer 2022 was our busiest yet as a family. Disney. 30A in Florida. Camping. Main Event. Lots of pancakes. DIY projects. New carpet for my band room (which, as of today, is not yet installed). And a puppy. With each adventure, came lots of fun but also several messy moments. Getting COVID on vacation. Brothers fighting. Syrup and sand everywhere. Painting projects gone wrong. A band room in disarray. And… did I mention we got a puppy? IYKYK.
Entering year 15 as an educator, I am all too familiar with messes. In fact, as I am writing this message, I am sitting in the hallway with instruments and furniture all around me as I wait for new carpet to be installed in our band room. Those who know me, know that I am a very organized and neat person—so it seems ironic I confess to you my embrace of messy moments.
If honest, each new chapter in life fosters excitement coupled with anxiousness. Excitement because we have a vision of what we are hoping for. Anxiousness because we know life doesn’t always go according to plan. Here are few of my own milestones worth mentioning…
August 5, 2007 — 1st day with an adult job — Teacher
October 10, 2008 — Wedding Day — Husband
March 25, 2013 — Birth of my 1st Born Son — Dad
October 18, 2015 — Birth of my 2nd Born Son — Dad in Survival Mode
July 14, 2022 — New puppy — Professional Pooper Scooper
I will testify, that with each title, there have been moments of joy, laughter, and success. I can also share with you my endless list of failures. Moments that have me wondering if I have what it takes to be a good teacher, husband, dad, and yes… even a professional pooper scooper. Truth is, life is full of messy moments that can easily persuade us that we are a failure. Yet, I believe, we are all destined for greatness while living in the messy moments of life. What makes all the difference, is the community we choose and those within that community, pointing us towards truth.
To the parents of a middle school student: I wish I could tell you middle school life is going to be sunshine and roses. Truth is… it is often partly cloudy with a chance of body odor. In addition to this, I can guarantee that your student will challenge you in ways you never imagined because of the adolescent rollercoaster of emotion they are scientifically forced to ride. Fear not, for it will get better!
To the students entering middle school: I wish I could tell you middle school is going to be easy and carefree. Truth is… it is a challenge as your body and mind will grow faster than ever. You will discover what your passions are. What you like. What you dislike. You will fail some. You will win some. Fear not, for it will get better!
In all the messy moments that middle school life brings… I can promise you this… being in it together is what gets us through! WHY I teach middle school is because I find so much joy in embracing the messy, challenging moments of life, as I watch each student grow into an amazing person. In the end, I know that each student leaving my classroom is a better person because of our experience together.
The mission of my classroom reads, “cultivating a musical community through respect, compassion, responsibility, and service”. This is my heartbeat as a teacher as all strive towards this vision, which reads, “maturing into the best person we can be, one day at a time”. As a middle school teacher, it is my commitment that each student hear this message. See this message. Experience this message. They are loved. They are known. They do belong. It takes a community, working together, to make the difference we need. This requires all to listen to the heart in all matters and say “yes… we will get through the messy moments”—knowing life only gets sweeter. I know this to be true because every student will be loved. Every student will be known. Every student will belong.
Cheers to all my educator friends and I am looking forward to a fun, exciting, and messy 2022/23 ! Together, nothing can stop us from growing each student into a beautiful, bright, and caring person.
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